College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Vermont
Lightly populated Vermont’s rolling, forested hills attract hordes of ‘leaf peepers’ every fall, and it’s bucolic small towns often serve as picture-perfect northern New England backdrops for the colleges and universities that call them home.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Middlebury College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$458,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$312,000 | Graduation Rate:94% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,200 |
| Rank:2 | School Name:_50px.jpg) University of Vermont (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$440,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$143,000 | Graduation Rate:76% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$40,000 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Vermont Technical College (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$439,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$123,000 | Graduation Rate:54% | Typical Years to Graduate:- | Average Loan Amount:$42,500 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Norwich University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$385,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$251,000 | Graduation Rate:61% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,300 |
| Rank:5 | School Name:Vermont Technical College (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$385,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$177,000 | Graduation Rate:54% | Typical Years to Graduate:- | Average Loan Amount:$42,500 |
| Rank:6 | School Name:University of Vermont (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$341,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$242,000 | Graduation Rate:76% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$40,000 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Saint Michael's College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$263,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$259,000 | Graduation Rate:74% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$48,500 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Champlain College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$198,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$249,000 | Graduation Rate:64% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$33,200 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Castleton University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$49,100 | Total 4 Year Cost:$108,000 | Graduation Rate:54% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,300 |
| Rank:10 | School Name:Johnson State College (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$36,100 | Total 4 Year Cost:$109,000 | Graduation Rate:38% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,000 |
Students who attend school in the Green Mountain State enjoy incredible value for their college educations, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of attending college here. Despite being the second-smallest state in the nation in terms of area, Vermont is bursting with incredible historical, cultural and natural attractions. From the picturesque Green Mountains to the glimmering waters of Lake Champlain, Vermont truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re applying to schools here strictly due to their exceptional value or because you love the idea of living in this unique New England state, consider using Payscale’s data to investigate the best value colleges in Vermont before submitting a single application.
Because Vermont is such a tiny state, it doesn’t have a huge variety of colleges and universities. Despite this, it still manages to offer a number of best-value colleges. The University of Vermont — a ‘Public Ivy’ — is a prime example. As the fifth public university established in New England, UVM has long had a reputation for offering some of the best academic programs in this part of the country. Located in Burlington, the University of Vermont consists of seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college and a college of medicine. The university places students in some of the country’s most esteemed law, medical and business graduate programs, so it’s a great option for those who intend to continue moving forward with their educations.
Norwich University is a private, not-for-profit university that holds the distinction of being the oldest private military college in the United States. Located in Northfield, Vermont, the school, which is known as “The Birthplace of the ROTC,” might be best-known for being a military college, but Norwich also has a large population of traditional, civilian students too. In addition to including more than 130 general officers from the U.S. Armed Forces among its alumni, Norwich has produced numerous governors, senators and other prominent political figures since its founding in 1819. Of the 29 majors offered at the school, criminal justice is the most popular. Whether they’re seeking careers in the military or not, Norwich University offers the value of college education Vermont students and their families desire.
Vermont’s Middlebury College was the first to grant a bachelor’s degree to an African-American, in 1823. Located between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks in the picturesque Champlain Valley, Middlebury delivers a college return on investment Vermont students and their families are sure to appreciate.
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