Best Vermont Colleges & Universities for 2017

Vermont is preparing to help students enter the workforce in large numbers. According to the Lumina Foundation, Vermont has set a goal for 60 percent of all state residents to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree by 2020. To help reach this ambitious goal, Vermont is working on implementing numerous initiatives that promote career awareness, inspire low-income students to pursue the college track, enhance student engagement and increase dual enrollments. This guide examines Vermont colleges and compares their affordability, financial aid availability, what alumni make, the student debt alumni carry and even the cost of living in metro areas of the state in order to help aspiring students know what to expect when attending colleges in Vermont. A list of student resources is also available.

Best Vermont Colleges: 2017 Rankings

Students looking for a quality Vermont college experience can typically find it at one of these impressive schools. We looked at factors, such as graduation rates, student-to-teacher ratios, tuition cost and earnings after graduation, to compile a list of rankings of the best Vermont colleges. Aspiring students can use this ranking list to help start their college search.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Community College of Vermont	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,400	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 22%	11%	N/A	9	32	No	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Middlebury College	99.71	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $53,400	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 45%	94%	17%	0	57	Yes	No
2	Saint Michael’s College	99.48	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,300	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	82%	80%	0	39	Yes	No
3	Norwich University	98.55	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $45,300	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	53%	66%	11	43	Yes	No
4	University of Vermont	98.16	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,000	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 91%	76%	73%	1	139	Yes	No
5	Marlboro College	97.92	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,900	5:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	67%	82%	0	83	Yes	No
6	Champlain College	95.49	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,400	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 94%	64%	64%	20	56	Yes	Yes
7	Vermont Technical College	95.14	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,200	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 49%	52%	83%	0	16	Yes	No
8	College of St Joseph	94.86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,900	11:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 91%	54%	66%	0	26	No	Yes
9	Johnson State College	93.91	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,200	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 65%	31%	95%	0	45	Yes	Yes
10	Bennington College	92.35	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 93%	64%	67%	0	100	No	No
11	Castleton State College	91.63	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,600	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 39%	40%	92%	0	55	No	Yes
12	Lyndon State College	90.85	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,100	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 64%	30%	99%	0	36	Yes	Yes
13	Southern Vermont College	90.29	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,800	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%	35%	94%	0	13	Yes	No
14	Green Mountain College	88.41	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $30,600	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%	42%	68%	3	27	No	Yes
15	Goddard College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,800	6:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 50%	8%	100%	0	14	No	Yes

Vermont College Search & Compare Tool

Sometimes students may want to look at their own particular criteria when selecting a well-suited college. The search tool below allows students to filter schools based on the points that matter most to them. Results can then be compared side by side to help provide a great overview of the potential colleges in Vermont.

Cost of College in Vermont: How Does It Stack Up?

What does it really cost to attend college in Vermont? Tuition and financial aid play a significant role when selecting a school. We looked at the tuition rates and financial aid availability for colleges in Vermont to come up with the following charts. We also looked at the national average’s tuition costs and financial aid and compared it to the schools in Vermont in order to create a more well-rounded view.

Most Affordable Vermont Colleges

Tuition rates can cause serious sticker shock, but it is important to remember that those rates are not necessarily what a student may pay for their education. Net price, tuition rates minus financial aid, is what really matters. These top six schools in Vermont are ranked based on net price and are compared to the national average.

• 1
  
  Lyndon State College$14,059
• 2
  
  Johnson State College$14,308
• 3
  
  University of Vermont$14,876

• 4
  
  Castleton State College$16,539
• 5
  
  College of St Joseph$17,398
• 6
  
  Vermont Technical College$17,433

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Vermont College Net Price vs. National Average

$22,530

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Vermont Colleges with Highest Alumni Earnings

How well-off are alumni after graduating college in Vermont? Though income can be dependent upon the choice of degree, the field one chooses to work in and many other factors, some schools do tend to have graduates who make more, on average, than others do. These six colleges in Vermont have produced the highest paid alumni in the state ten years after their enrollment.

• 1
  
  Vermont Law School$69,700
• 2
  
  Middlebury College$53,400
• 3
  
  Saint Michael's College$46,300

• 4
  
  Norwich University$45,300
• 5
  
  Vermont Technical College$44,200
• 6
  
  University of Vermont$44,000

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Vermont Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$36,931

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Colleges in Vermont With Least Alumni Debt

A hefty paycheck is always nice, but that financial elation may take a hit when student loan debt payments come due. These six colleges in Vermont produce alumni with the lowest amount of student debt after graduation. We have also compared those colleges to the national average to provide a better overview of student debt.

• 1
  
  Landmark College$12,463
• 2
  
  Vermont Technical College$16,062
• 3
  
  Sterling College$16,100

• 4
  
  Middlebury College$19,500
• 5
  
  Goddard College$19,750
• 6
  
  University of Vermont$21,893

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Vermont College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$23,277

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Vermont Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

Though the cost of living in Vermont is lower than that of some New England states, Vermont’s cost of living is still higher than the national average. This means students might need budget more carefully during their time in college. To get a better idea of the costs, we compiled cost of living data for metropolitan areas in Vermont, as well as for the state as a whole.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accrediting Agencies for Colleges in Vermont

Students seeking the best Vermont colleges should always check for accreditation status. Accreditation means a school has been evaluated and found to meet the high standards of a quality education. Accrediting agencies are independent bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredit schools throughout a particular area or region.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges provides accreditation for colleges in Vermont. In addition to this regional accreditation, many schools also opt for programmatic accreditation. Here are a few examples of accredited programs in Vermont:

• The Joint Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits radiology programs at Southern Vermont College.
• The American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits the physical therapy programs at University of Vermont.

Popular College Cities in Vermont

Bennington

Chartered in 1749, Bennington is Vermont's first town. Today, it is home to a handful of small colleges that help make up the town's population of about 15,000. Below are some of the most promising options for higher education in the town.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Bennington College	Private not-for-profit	$29,960	$26,500
Chartered in 1749, Bennington is Vermont's first town. Today, it is home to a handful of small colleges that help make up the town's population of about 15,000. Below are some of the most promising options for higher education in the town.
Southern Vermont College	Private not-for-profit	$21,372	$34,800
With over 17 majors available, SVC is currently home to 460 students and holds an average class size of 16. Ninety-six percent of students receive financial aid, and 83 percent participate in internships and other off-campus experiences during the pursuit of their bachelor's degree. Originally founded as St. Joseph College, the school took its current name in 1974 and is now a private, independent college with no religious affiliation.

Burlington

Burlington has built up a long list of accolades in recent years. The SpareFoot blog places the city among the Top 12 college towns for commuting on foot. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine named Burlington the second best place to live in the U.S. Life is quite creative here too as the Burlington and South Burlington metro areas rank 20th in the nation for the highest concentration of the creative class. Here are some of the great colleges that call this area home.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Champlain College	Private not-for-profit	$31,564	$40,400
This small private school has student body of almost 2,200. Student can choose from 30 undergraduate programs, 14 online graduate degrees and certificates, and 16 continuing online undergraduate degrees. The employment rate for graduates is good with 90 percent of them working in their chosen field within one year of graduation.
University of Vermont	Public	$14,876	$44,000
Founded in 1791, the college is the fifth oldest in New England and the first to declare public support for freedom of religion. Today, the college is home to over 12,000 students, including those pursuing undergraduate, graduate, certificates, medical degrees and continuing education. Students can choose from 100 majors spread out over seven schools and colleges. The vast majority of seniors are heavily engaged in research, internships or other experience-based learning to complement their classroom time.

Source: College Scorecard

College Resources for Students in Vermont

Vermont colleges provide excellent resources to help students succeed. Below are some of the state-based programs and resources that students can turn to when starting their college planning journey.