Best Colleges in Vermont 2025
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
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 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: $18,890Expenses: $16,908Starting Salary: $55,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryUniversity 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
- #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: $64,644Expenses: $22,640Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 25 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryBennington 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.
- #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: $65,280Expenses: $20,600Starting Salary: $71,900Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryMiddlebury 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.
- #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: $49,600Expenses: $18,260Starting Salary: $57,100Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryFounded 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.
- #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: $19,568Expenses: $3,934Starting Salary: $39,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Goddard College known for?
Goddard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #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: $50,040Expenses: $19,182Starting Salary: $57,800Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salarySaint 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.
- #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: $45,550Expenses: $20,384Starting Salary: $54,400Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryChamplain 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.
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Vermont 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont 2024 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
54%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/24
What is Castleton University known for?
Castleton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #3 Best Public Colleges in Vermont 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2025 #8 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
38%
Student body
2K
What is Johnson State College known for?
Johnson State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Communications
- Psychology
- Sociology
- History
- Education
- Political Science
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #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: $11,400Expenses: $15,548Starting Salary: $45,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryVermont 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.
- #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: $64,290Expenses: $19,810Starting Salary: $31,800Cost Recoup Time: 27 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryLandmark 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.
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.
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.
Vermont’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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.
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges