Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2024

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Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Vermont.

Best Private Colleges in Vermont

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  1. Middlebury College
  2. Bennington College
  3. Goddard College
  4. Norwich University
  5. Saint Michael's College
  6. Champlain College
  7. Landmark College
  8. Sterling College
  1. Bennington College
  2. Middlebury College
  3. Norwich University
  4. Goddard College
  5. Saint Michael's College
  6. Champlain College
  7. Landmark College
  8. Sterling College
  1. Sterling College 93%
  2. Goddard College 86%
  3. Saint Michael's College 85%
  4. Norwich University 83%
  5. Champlain College 56%
  6. Bennington College 45%
  7. Landmark College 45%
  8. Middlebury College 13%
  1. Champlain College 14 to 1
  2. Norwich University 11 to 1
  3. Saint Michael's College 10 to 1
  4. Bennington College 9 to 1
  5. Middlebury College 9 to 1
  6. Landmark College 8 to 1
  7. Goddard College 6 to 1
  8. Sterling College 6 to 1
  1. Landmark College $62,720
  2. Middlebury College $62,460
  3. Bennington College $61,448
  4. Saint Michael's College $49,840
  5. Norwich University $45,340
  6. Champlain College $44,220
  7. Sterling College $39,200
  8. Goddard College $18,477
  1. Bennington College $24,617
  2. Goddard College $22,246
  3. Norwich University $20,280
  4. Middlebury College $14,550
  5. Champlain College $14,310
  6. Saint Michael's College $11,700
  1. Sterling College
  2. Landmark College
  3. Champlain College
  4. Saint Michael's College
  5. Norwich University
  6. Goddard College
  7. Bennington College
  8. Middlebury College
  1. Sterling College
  2. Landmark College
  3. Champlain College
  4. Saint Michael's College
  5. Goddard College
  6. Norwich University
  7. Middlebury College
  8. Bennington College
  1. Middlebury College 13%
  2. Landmark College 45%
  3. Bennington College 45%
  4. Champlain College 56%
  5. Norwich University 83%
  6. Saint Michael's College 85%
  7. Goddard College 86%
  8. Sterling College 93%
  1. Goddard College 6 to 1
  2. Sterling College 6 to 1
  3. Landmark College 8 to 1
  4. Bennington College 9 to 1
  5. Middlebury College 9 to 1
  6. Saint Michael's College 10 to 1
  7. Norwich University 11 to 1
  8. Champlain College 14 to 1
  1. Goddard College $18,477
  2. Sterling College $39,200
  3. Champlain College $44,220
  4. Norwich University $45,340
  5. Saint Michael's College $49,840
  6. Bennington College $61,448
  7. Middlebury College $62,460
  8. Landmark College $62,720
  1. Saint Michael's College $11,700
  2. Champlain College $14,310
  3. Middlebury College $14,550
  4. Norwich University $20,280
  5. Goddard College $22,246
  6. Bennington College $24,617

Colleges and Universities in Vermont

Vermont is home to five public universities and colleges. Among these is the state’s largest school, the University of Vermont in Burlington. This college serves almost 13,000 students and boasts alumni like Ben Affleck and John Dewey. The majority of the higher education institutes in Vermont are private schools. Tuition at these schools ranges greatly, from $17,000 to $57,000. Though it is the most expensive private school in the state, Landmark College in Putney is especially unique as its student population is made up entirely of students diagnosed with learning disabilities, attention disorders, and autism. Students here can earn degrees in fields like psychology, studio art, and life science while participating in a more intimate, student-centered learning environment.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Almost all of Vermont’s schools could be considered small schools, serving student populations of 5,000 or less. Included on this list are three religiously affiliated schools, like Saint Michael’s College in Colchester. While tuition in Vermont tends to be costly, the state offers several loan forgiveness programs to qualifying dentists, physicians, nurses, and lawyers who work for nonprofits.

While many travelers come to Vermont for its famous maple syrup and stunning fall foliage, they’ll stay for the state’s bounteous farmers markets, wineries, and artisan foods. The magnificent green mountains, pristine skiing resorts, and rugged hiking trails are also major draws for visitors and residents alike. Students aiming to earn their degree while enjoying the outdoors and eating locally-sourced meals can attend one of Vermont’s 22 higher learning institutes.

Learn more about Vermont’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s array of picturesque colleges and universities.


What are Vermont’s Colleges & Universities?

Vermont’s Best Overall

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

Vermont's Best Private Colleges and Universities Badge
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This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 8 private universities in Vermont. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Vermont, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

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Best Private Colleges in Vermont

  1. #1

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $62,460
    Expenses: $19,800
    Starting Salary: $71,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Bennington College

    Bennington , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Bennington College

    Cost of Degree: $61,448
    Expenses: $21,520
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 24 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Goddard College

    Plainfield , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Goddard College

    Cost of Degree: $18,477
    Expenses: $3,934
    Starting Salary: $39,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Goddard College known for?

    Goddard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #5

    Saint Michael's College

    Colchester , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1237/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Michael's College

    Cost of Degree: $49,840
    Expenses: $17,672
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Michael's College known for?

    Saint Michael's College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #7

    Landmark College

    Putney , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Landmark College

    Cost of Degree: $62,720
    Expenses: $19,460
    Starting Salary: $31,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 27 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Landmark College known for?

    Landmark College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  6. #8

    Sterling College

    Craftsbury Common , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Sterling College known for?

    Sterling College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Vermont’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Bennington College
  2. Middlebury College
  3. Goddard College
  4. Saint Michael's College
  5. Norwich University
  6. Champlain College
  7. Sterling College

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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