Vermont Colleges: Tuition, Debt & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Vermont: median 10-year earnings $59,852 (+10.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 32.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,951 (+56.0% vs U.S.) 28,653 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • IPEDS degrees & certificates awarded statewide: 20,214 (2024 extract)
  • Graduate sex mix (IPEDS): 57.8% women, 42.2% men
  • Total college enrollment: 28,653 students
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $59,852 (+10.2% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 32.7% (-55.2 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $20,951 (+56.0% vs U.S. $13,432). Debt rank: #49 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank)
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 62.4%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 80.8%
  • Earnings rank: #12 nationally (higher median 10-yr earnings = better rank)
  • Employment-outcome rank: #47 nationally (higher working share = better rank)
  • Student debt rank: #49 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank)

Download the data

Download JSON

Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.

Overview

Higher education in Vermont includes public research universities, private colleges, and community colleges serving transfer students and workforce training. About 28,653 students enrolled statewide in federal data. Major campuses include University of Vermont and Vermont State University. The tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, debt, and employment outcomes against U.S. and regional medians.

Vermont vs regional & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Vermont (VT)N/AN/A$20,95162.4%28,653
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Vermont vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Vermont (VT)$59,85232.7%80.8%2.9%—85.9%0.41
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Outcomes by sector in Vermont

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit6$59,85240.9%80.8%2.8%—86.1%

Higher education completions in Vermont (IPEDS 2024)

Supply-side counts from IPEDS Completions — not employment or placement rates.

In the IPEDS 2024 completions file, institutions in Vermont reported 20,214 total awards (all levels and fields).

Among reported completers statewide, about 57.8% were women and 42.2% were men.

Largest institutions by degrees awarded

#InstitutionCompletions
1University of Vermont6,748
2Vermont State University2,718
3Champlain College2,278
4Middlebury College2,132
5Norwich University2,012
6Community College of Vermont1,318
7Saint Michael's College856
8Vermont Law and Graduate School602
9Bennington College476
10Landmark College300

Top majors by completions

#Program (CIP)Completions
1CIP 99.010,107
2CIP 52.0201634
3Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research422
4General Psychology364
5Graphic Communications287
6CIP 3.0103235
7Computer Science230
8General Biological Sciences205
9General English Language & Literature195
10Social Sciences164

Educational attainment context (Vermont)

U.S. Census ACS 2024 — adults age 25+.

  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 43.8% of adults 25+
  • Some college, no degree (ACS): 16.11%

Program completions produced in Vermont (IPEDS 2024)

Award completions by CIP family — supply-side context for nursing, cosmetology, and other pathways. Not placement rates.

Program areaCompletionsInstitutions
Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38)4793
Cosmetology (CIP 12.04)1051
Computer Science (CIP 11.01)364
Business (CIP 52.01)703

State workforce wages (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Context for graduate earnings — not a unemployment rate for recent grads (CEW state series not in repo).

  • All occupations median annual wage: $52,410
  • Education occupations (SOC 25-xxxx) median: $69,935

Program-level earnings in Vermont (Scorecard)

  • Median 1-yr post-completion program earnings (across reporting campuses): $73,068
  • Median 4-yr post-completion: $90,628
  • Campuses with program earnings data: 7

Public 4-year in-state tuition trend: Vermont

Median published in-state tuition, public 4-year institutions. Source: College Scorecard multi-year pull.

Top 10 colleges in Vermont by degrees awarded (IPEDS 2024, all fields)

Ranked by total IPEDS-reported completions (all award levels and fields) in 2024. This is degrees/certificates produced, not enrollment or job placement.

  1. Rank 1, Degrees Awarded, 6,748, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  2. Rank 2, Degrees Awarded, 2,718, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  3. Rank 3, Degrees Awarded, 2,278, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  4. Rank 4, Degrees Awarded, 2,132, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  5. Rank 5, Degrees Awarded, 2,012, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  6. Rank 6, Degrees Awarded, 1,318, Community College of Vermont

    Community College of Vermont

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  7. Rank 7, Degrees Awarded, 856, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  8. Rank 8, Degrees Awarded, 602, Vermont Law and Graduate School

    Vermont Law and Graduate School

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  9. Rank 9, Degrees Awarded, 476, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

  10. Rank 10, Degrees Awarded, 300, Landmark College

    Landmark College

    IPEDS completions (all fields)

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 91.4%, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 78.6%, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 72.8%, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 71.2%, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 65.2%, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 60.2%, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 47.2%, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 56.3%, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 52.9%, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 45.0%, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 28.7%, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 27.9%, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 21.0%, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 15.1%, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

Top 7 most selective colleges in Vermont (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 10.8%, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 44.5%, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 65.3%, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 74.4%, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Admission Rate, 81.7%, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Admission Rate, 82.9%, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Admission Rate, 84.5%, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $98,551, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,879, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,160, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,068, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,652, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $56,723, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $20,809, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $128,471, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $112,282, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $95,036, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $90,628, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $88,301, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $82,447, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $39,958, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $59,743, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $57,291, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,844, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,164, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,898, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,340, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $24,711, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $71,957, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $68,991, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,451, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $54,937, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,360, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,541, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,270, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $76,310, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $65,575, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,472, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $61,317, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,386, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,331, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,289, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

Top 8 colleges in Vermont by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $214,646, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $197,959, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $176,556, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $130,264, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $112,878, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $95,719, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $13,450, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $1,172, Landmark College

    Landmark College

    Private nonprofit · 455 enrolled

Top 8 most affordable colleges in Vermont (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $19,343, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $18,212, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $22,257, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $25,239, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $30,947, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, Net Price, $31,483, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, Net Price, $35,860, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, Net Price, $56,954, Landmark College

    Landmark College

    Private nonprofit · 455 enrolled

Top 7 colleges in Vermont by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 93.7%, Middlebury College

    Middlebury College

    Private nonprofit · 2,738 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 89.2%, University of Vermont

    University of Vermont

    Public · 11,743 enrolled

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 82.0%, Bennington College

    Bennington College

    Private nonprofit · 780 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 81.7%, Champlain College

    Champlain College

    Private nonprofit · 2,752 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 79.9%, Saint Michael's College

    Saint Michael's College

    Private nonprofit · 1,092 enrolled

  6. Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 79.3%, Norwich University

    Norwich University

    Private nonprofit · 2,428 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 67.8%, Vermont State University

    Vermont State University

    Public · 3,590 enrolled

Student debt: Vermont vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Vermont is $20,951 (+56.0% vs U.S. median $13,432). Rank: #49 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank).

Median earnings (10 years out): Vermont vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Vermont center around $59,852 (+10.2% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Vermont vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 32.7% at the median Vermont campus (-55.2 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Median graduate debt is $20,951 (+56.0% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Student debt rank: #49 nationally of 48 (lower debt = better rank) (1 = lowest median debt).

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Vermont are $59,852, about +10.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 32.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-55.2 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 80.8% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 2.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 85.9% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Nationally, Vermont ranks earnings #12 and employment proxy #47 on these outcome medians (1 = best).

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Bennington College (56.3%), Middlebury College (52.9%), Norwich University (45.0%), University of Vermont (28.7%), Champlain College (27.9%), Saint Michael's College (21.0%), Vermont State University (15.1%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Vermont, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $59,852 (6 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Vermont is 62.4% (national institution average about 50.3%).

National Student Clearinghouse data cite roughly 63,550 residents with some college but no credential in Vermont (YoY change 7.30%). That stock of incomplete credentials sits alongside the completion and employment metrics above.

FAQ

How much does college cost in Vermont?

Cost benchmarks for Vermont are listed in the profile tables when campuses report tuition and net price to the College Scorecard.

What is typical student debt for graduates in Vermont?

Median federal loan debt among completers in Vermont is $20,951 vs a U.S. median of $13,432 (Vermont ranks #49 nationally for median debt among states.)

What do graduates earn in Vermont?

Median earnings 10 years after entry for Vermont campuses reporting to the College Scorecard is $59,852 vs $54,323 nationally. Six-year medians are $47,531.

What share of Vermont graduates are working after college?

The federal employment-outcome proxy used on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 32.7% in Vermont vs 87.9% nationally.

How many colleges are in Vermont?

This profile aggregates 8 campuses with cost or outcomes data in Vermont and roughly 28,653 total reported enrollment.

How many public vs. private colleges are in Vermont?

Among campuses with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 0 public, 6 private nonprofit, and 0 private for-profit institutions.

What are the top colleges in Vermont?

Rankings on this page are drawn from College Scorecard medians; standouts include highest 150%-time graduation rate: Middlebury College; highest 10-year earnings: Middlebury College; lowest net price among large campuses: University of Vermont. See the ranked lists below for full details.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Vermont?

Among 15 campuses in Vermont, 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (1).

Sources & related