Best Colleges in Vermont 2025

Badge for BEST IN VERMONT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Here are the best colleges and universities in Vermont. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Many of Vermont’s best colleges feature small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.
  • The best colleges in Vermont are known for their commitment to sustainability, offering strong programs in environmental science, renewable energy, and conservation, providing students with opportunities to engage in ecological research and sustainable practices.
  • With Vermont’s beautiful natural landscape, the best colleges often emphasize outdoor education and recreation, offering activities like hiking, skiing, and environmental field studies, appealing to students who value a connection to nature and outdoor adventures.

Best Colleges in Vermont in 2025

  1. University of Vermont
  2. Bennington College
  3. Middlebury College
  4. Norwich University
  5. Goddard College
    +6
  6. Saint Michael's College
    –1
  7. Champlain College
    –1
  8. Castleton University
    +2
  9. Johnson State College
    +3
  10. Vermont Technical College
    –3

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best colleges in Vermont saw a fair amount of shuffling. Goddard College gained the most ranking positions as the college expanded its low-residency programs, offering more flexibility for students to pursue their degrees while balancing work and personal commitments. Goddard has also enhanced its focus on individualized learning, allowing students to design their own curriculum paths with more interdisciplinary options, fostering a personalized educational experience.

Additionally, the college has strengthened its commitment to social justice and sustainability by integrating these themes across its programs and launching new community-based initiatives that encourage students to engage in hands-on activism and environmental projects.

Best Colleges in Vermont

  1. #1

    University of Vermont

    Burlington , VT
    #1 Best Research Universities in Vermont 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Vermont 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Vermont 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1345/30

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Vermont

    Cost of Degree: $18,890
    Expenses: $16,908
    Starting Salary: $55,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Vermont (UVM), one of the original eight Public Ivies, is a research university that is large enough to offer a wide range of resources, ideas, and opportunities but scaled to allow for close faculty-student mentorship at all degree levels.

    What we love about UVM:

    As a public land-grant research institution, UVM is nationally recognized for its efforts in addressing ways to improve the world.

    UVM is ideal for students who:

    Are looking for universities with a great track record of student success - at least 94% of graduates were employed or accepted in graduate school within six months after completing their program at UVM.

    UVM might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are not comfortable in a small campus community and close faculty-student interaction.

    University of Vermont’s Online Degrees

    BS in Health Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Bennington College

    Bennington , VT
    #2 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    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: $64,644
    Expenses: $22,640
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 25 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bennington College, a private liberal arts college, is committed to providing student-led education that fosters long-term adaptability, personal fulfillment, and societal impact.

    What we love about Bennington College:

    Based on a five-year average, 93% of Bennington graduates were employed or accepted in graduate school within six months after their graduation.

    Bennington College is ideal for students who:

    Want to pursue a career in communications, public service, education, performing and visual arts, or healthcare.

    Bennington College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Find small class sizes too intimidating or intrusive, as faculty members can keep a close eye on the progress of each student.

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    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: $65,280
    Expenses: $20,600
    Starting Salary: $71,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College is a private, residential liberal arts institution that prepares students for the world’s challenging problems by creating a academically strong campus community and fostering engaging discourse.

    What we love about Middlebury College:

    The institution is a well-recognized leader in global studies and language instruction.

    Middlebury College is ideal for students who:

    Intend to pursue a career in the field of international studies or environmental studies.

    Middlebury College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are not into sports, as 28% of UVM students participate in varsity sports.

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Norwich University

    Northfield , VT
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #3 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Vermont

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Norwich University

    Cost of Degree: $49,600
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $57,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Founded in 1819, Norwich University is the country’s private senior military college and is recognized as the “Birthplace of ROTC” by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    What we love about Norwich University:

    With experiential learning as its core value, the University offers more than 250 internships complemented by hundreds of extracurricular opportunities with clubs, varsity teams, and volunteerism.

    Norwich University is ideal for students who:

    Want to pursue a career in the fields of military science or civil engineering.

    Norwich University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer a laid-back approach to pursuing their academic goals without the strict discipline and constant challenges of a military-style learning environment.

    Compare school
  6. #5

    Goddard College

    Plainfield , VT
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Goddard College

    Cost of Degree: $19,568
    Expenses: $3,934
    Starting Salary: $39,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Saint Michael's College

    Colchester , VT
    #1 Best Christian Colleges in Vermont 2025 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #5 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #5 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    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: $50,040
    Expenses: $19,182
    Starting Salary: $57,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Saint Michael’s College is a private residential Roman Catholic institution and the only college in the world affiliated with the Society of Saint Edmund.

    What we love about Saint Michael’s College:

    As an Edmundite college, Saint Michael’s upholds “faith in action,” which essentially encourages students to participate in service.

    Saint Michael’s College is ideal for students who:

    Are seeking an academic environment that promotes inclusivity, care, hospitality, and social justice.

    Saint Michael’s College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are not as interested in a vibrant student life.

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Champlain College

    Burlington , VT
    #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #6 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    56%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Champlain College

    Cost of Degree: $45,550
    Expenses: $20,384
    Starting Salary: $54,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Champlain College is a non-profit, private institution that implements a career-driven approach in its curricula and teaching methods in order to equip students for success in their professional lives as early as their first semester.

    What we love about Champlain College:

    The College is consistently recognized as the Most Innovative School in the regional rankings of U.S. News & World Report and other relevant organizations.

    Champlain College is ideal for students who:

    Are looking for career-focused undergraduate academic programs that are updated to suit the needs of the modern workforce.

    Champlain College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Thrive on a larger class size of at least 30 students.

    Compare school
  12. #10

    Vermont Technical College

    Randolph , VT
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Vermont 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #9 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Vermont Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $11,400
    Expenses: $15,548
    Starting Salary: $45,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Vermont Technical College, now merged with other colleges into Vermont State University (VTSU), offers more than 105 academic programs in various fields that incorporate classroom and experiential education at affordable tuition rates.

    What we love about VTSU:

    The University has several campuses across the state that allow for online/hybrid options and cross-campus collaborations so that students can gain access to a network of learning opportunities wherever they are.

    VTSU is ideal for students who:

    Aspire to be student-athletes, as the university supports varsity sports programs on its campuses.

    VTSU might not be the best fit for students who:

    Find a low student-faculty ratio to be too intimidating or intrusive.

    Compare school
  13. #11

    Landmark College

    Putney , VT
    #7 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #10 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Landmark College

    Cost of Degree: $64,290
    Expenses: $19,810
    Starting Salary: $31,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 27 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Landmark College is a private institution of higher education for students who are differently-abled learners, such as those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism and executive function challenges. It offers a range of liberal arts and science academic programs at associate and bachelor’s degree levels with optional concentrations and minors. Online programs are also available.

    What we love about Landmark College:

    The College offers academic programs that allow students to engage in self- discovery and develop the learning skills/techniques to pursue career-oriented studies.

    Landmark College is ideal for students who:

    Are pursuing academic and professional goals while not letting their learning disability condition get in the way.

    Landmark College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are looking for more affordable tuition rates.

    Compare school
  14. #12

    Sterling College

    Craftsbury Common , VT
    #8 Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    <1K

    Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vermont, is a private work college offering environmentally-focused academic programs in the field of Environmental Studies.

    What we love about Sterling College:

    The College provides liberal arts education that utilizes the natural surroundings as classrooms, fostering sustainable and socially responsible living.

    Sterling College is ideal for students who:

    Love the outdoors with a passion for the fields of Environmental Humanities, Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and Outdoor Education.

    Sterling College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer the traditional post-secondary academic curriculum with minimal experiential learning opportunities.

    Compare school

This list of the top colleges in Vermont focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Vermont.

Back to Top

Vermont’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. University of Vermont
  5. Saint Michael's College
  6. Norwich University
  7. Champlain College
  8. Sterling College

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here