Campus Vibe
Known for biology — close-knit campus
Sterling College is a private rural institution in Craftsbury Common, Vermont. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 66 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.
43% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $30,573 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $30,785.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Sterling College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
rolling
Decision by rolling
Financial Aid
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
64.4%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$13,625
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
0
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Programs (4)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
30%
- •30% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Focus on outdoor recreation rather than competitive athletics
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Dining
Food sourced from campus garden and local farms
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Sterling School was founded as a boys' college preparatory school in 1958.
- •College (1974–2026) In 1974, Sterling School was faced with closure and a small group of faculty launched the educational model that became Sterling College.
- •In 1974, a small group of faculty established an academic year-long program similar to Outward Bound programs known as Grassroots Project in Vermont at Sterling Institute.
- •Since 1997, Sterling College has been accredited as a four-year college.
- •Sterling College joined the Work Colleges Consortium in 1999.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Craftsbury Commonwalkable
Historic Vermont village with general store and community center
Craftsbury Outdoor Centerwalkable
Premier Nordic skiing and sculling center
Kingdom Trails
World-class mountain biking trail network nearby
Lake Willoughby
Glacial lake for swimming and recreation
Transfer Admission
International Students
English Proficiency Requirements