WPI vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Sterling College 7:1.

WPI vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WPI or Sterling College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sterling College than WPI ($21,854 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 40.4% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($10,950 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 49.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sterling College (about $20,205 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.6% higher at WPI than at Sterling College (about $20,205 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $40,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students ($32,556 vs. $31,545).

WPI vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WPI or Sterling College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sterling College and WPI.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WPI - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Sterling College has a higher acceptance rate (66.7%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at WPI vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

WPI vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WPI and Sterling College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Sterling College's (50%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sterling College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.