Northland College vs Sterling College
Northland College and Sterling College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer unique educational experiences. Northland, nestled in the scenic Northwoods of Wisconsin, boasts a 98% acceptance rate, while Sterling, located in the vibrant city of Craftsbury Common, Vermont, maintains a more selective admissions process with a 75% acceptance rate. Northland's student body is predominantly female (62%), while Sterling's is more evenly balanced (52% female, 48% male). Both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, with Northland excelling in Environmental Studies and Sterling excelling in Sustainable Agriculture. With graduation rates of 65% and 70% respectively, both institutions are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions and determine which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Northland College |
![]() Sterling College |
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Overview |
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Location | Ashland, Wisconsin | Craftsbury Common, Vermont |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 93.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 57.7% | 100.0% |
Application fees | $35 | |
SAT range | 1010 - 1160 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 27 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 50.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,436 | 41 |
Total number of admissions given out | 828 | 41 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 124 | 17 |
Yield rate | 15.0% | 41.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $53,032 | $52,800 |
Average net price | $22,994 | $15,350 |
Tuition | $38,376 | $39,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,470
Meal plan:
$6,104
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Room/dormitory:
$5,000
Meal plan:
$5,400
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $28,740 |
100.0%
Average amount $36,950 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
69.0%
Average amount $5,173 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,246 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $13,657 |
7.0%
Average amount $7,500 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
531
Men 46.9% Women 53.1% |
126
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 67.5% | N/A |
International students | 6.8% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Rural: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 500 | 139 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Wisconsin Minnesota Illinois Michigan Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 58.3% | 36.0% |
Dropout rate | 25.2% | 48.0% |
Transferred out | 16.5% | 12.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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N/A |
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