Sterling College vs Smith College
Sterling College and Smith College, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Sterling College, nestled in the picturesque town of Craftsbury Common, Vermont, is a small, private liberal arts college with a focus on environmental stewardship and sustainability. In contrast, Smith College, located in the vibrant city of Northampton, Massachusetts, is a renowned private women's college known for its strong liberal arts curriculum and commitment to empowering women. While both colleges share a dedication to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Smith College |
![]() Sterling College |
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Overview |
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Location | Northampton, Massachusetts | Sterling, Kansas |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 55.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 29.9% | 47.4% |
Application fees | $60 |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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SAT range | 1370 - 1530 | 996 - 1166 |
ACT range | 31 - 34 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 34.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 33.0% |
Total number of applicants | 6,064 | 2,574 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,814 | 1,220 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 676 | 206 |
Yield rate | 37.3% | 16.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $68,128 | $42,886 |
Average net price | $29,569 | $22,377 |
Tuition | $55,830 | $27,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,700
Meal plan:
$9,720
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Room/dormitory:
$3,516
Meal plan:
$5,608
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $44,108 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,158 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
35.0%
Average amount $3,560 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,750 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $8,280 |
8.0%
Average amount $11,649 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,566
Men 0.1% Women 99.9% |
686
Men 59.0% Women 41.0% |
Graduate students |
358
Men 16.2% Women 83.8% |
14
Men 14.3% Women 85.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 13.4% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,519 | 635 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New York California Connecticut Maryland | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 91.0% | 43.2% |
Dropout rate | 3.6% | 25.2% |
Transferred out | 5.1% | 30.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Compare Similar Colleges
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