Sterling College: 92.9% Acceptance Rate

92.9%Acceptance

$40,760Tuition

66Students

43%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$30,573Earnings

#10 in VermontPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24

About Sterling College

Sterling College runs working farms and maple syrup operations as part of its environmental sustainability curriculum. Just 66 students attend this hands-on liberal arts college in Vermont's remote Northeast Kingdom. The college pioneered experiential learning in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. Students spend significant time outdoors learning forestry, farming, and renewable energy systems. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel more like guided apprenticeships than lectures.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $30,785 after aid, but graduates earn a median of just $30,573 ten years after graduation. Those numbers break even, though graduates typically carry $23,000 in debt with monthly payments of $244. The college does offer substantial institutional grants averaging $31,078 to about 26% of students. For families earning $30,000-$48,000, the net price drops to $13,954.

Sterling's 30% retention rate signals that this intensely hands-on approach isn't for everyone. The 4-year graduation rate of 36% reflects both the college's demanding experiential curriculum and financial pressures many students face. However, 97% of graduates find employment, often in environmental fields, sustainable agriculture, or outdoor education where passion often outweighs starting salaries.

Academics & Faculty

Sterling College builds its academic program around environmental sustainability and experiential learning in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally in this intimate liberal arts setting. The college specializes in sustainable agriculture, conservation ecology, and outdoor education programs that blend classroom theory with hands-on farm and field work. Students milk cows, tap maple trees, and conduct ecological research as part of their coursework. The 36.36% four-year graduation rate reflects the college's demanding, immersive approach rather than academic rigor alone. Many students take gap years or transfer to complete degrees elsewhere, but those who stay develop deep expertise in environmental stewardship and sustainable living practices.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 54.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 36.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 42.9%
Retention Rate: 30.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $30,573
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Campus Life

Sterling College sits in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, about 90 minutes from Burlington and three hours from Boston. With just 66 students enrolled, you'll know virtually everyone on campus by name. The student-faculty ratio of 9:1 means professors become mentors who join you for maple sugaring and farm work.

Housing capacity reaches 120 students, though current enrollment means plenty of space in the residence halls. Winter dominates the academic calendar from November through March, requiring serious cold-weather gear for outdoor classes and farm chores. Students spend weekends cross-country skiing, ice fishing, or working the college's sustainable farm that supplies the dining hall.

The 30% retention rate reflects the school's demanding hands-on approach to environmental education. Students who stay embrace the "muck boots and textbooks" culture where academic discussions happen while feeding chickens or tapping maple trees. The 97.3% employment rate shows graduates find work, though median earnings of $30,573 after ten years reflect careers in environmental nonprofits and sustainable agriculture rather than corporate jobs. Weekend entertainment often means potluck dinners, contra dancing, or hiking the surrounding Green Mountains.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 120 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1887

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	1	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 6°–23°F
July Avg: 57°–75°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.4"
Annual Snowfall: 141.7"

Student Demographics

Sterling attracts students passionate about environmental work and outdoor education from across the country. Nearly three-quarters of students come from outside Vermont, drawn by the college's unique sustainability focus and hands-on learning approach. The student body is 55% women, reflecting the college's emphasis on environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation programs that often appeal more to female students. About one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves students from diverse economic backgrounds who share a commitment to environmental education and experiential learning in Vermont's rural setting.

Men: 45.5%
Women: 54.6%
White: 72.7%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 4.6%
Asian: 3.0%
In-State Students: 26.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 34.7%

Location

Sterling College sits in Craftsbury Common, a village of fewer than 200 people in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The campus is roughly 50 miles from Burlington, Vermont's largest city. This remote agricultural region features rolling hills, working farms, and dense forests that serve as living laboratories for environmental studies. Only 26.67% of students come from Vermont, drawing most from outside the state to experience true rural living. The village lacks typical college town amenities but offers direct access to wilderness areas and sustainable farming operations. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, creating ideal conditions for the college's outdoor programs. Students considering colleges in Vermont may also compare Sterling College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Craftsbury Common, Vermont 05827-0072

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $30,573
Median Earnings (5 years): $29,482
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $18,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 73.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $244/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $23,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Sterling College?

Sterling College accepts 92.86% of applicants, making admission highly accessible for most students. The small environmental college in rural Vermont focuses more on fit and passion for sustainability than test scores or grades.

How much does Sterling College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $30,785 after aid, though families earning $30,000-$48,000 pay just $13,954. With total costs reaching $52,910, the college provides meaningful financial support to make its hands-on environmental education affordable.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Sterling College?

Sterling maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio with only 66 total students enrolled. This tiny size allows for intensive mentorship and personalized outdoor learning experiences that define the college's environmental focus.

What are the graduation rates at Sterling College?

Only 36.36% of students graduate in four years, with 42.90% finishing within six years. The retention rate of 30% reflects the challenging nature of Sterling's rigorous outdoor education and the reality that this specialized environment isn't right for everyone.

Where is Sterling College located?

Sterling sits in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, a remote rural setting that serves as a living laboratory for environmental studies. Just 26.67% of students come from Vermont, with most drawn from across the country to experience this unique wilderness-based education.

Does Sterling College provide good career outcomes?

Graduates earn a median of $30,573 ten years after graduation with an employment rate of 97.3%. While salaries are modest, Sterling alumni typically pursue meaningful environmental careers rather than high-paying corporate positions, reflecting the college's mission-driven culture.