Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Vermont offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.
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.
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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.
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 11 liberal arts colleges in Vermont. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Vermont, schools must fully accredited institutions.
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
13%
Graduation
91%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1430/32
Middlebury College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
68%
Student body
<1K
Bennington College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
50%
Student body
<1K
Goddard College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
62%
Student body
4K
Norwich University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
78%
Student body
2K
Saint Michael's College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
68%
Student body
3K
Champlain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
54%
Student body
1K
Vermont Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
38%
Student body
2K
Johnson State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
55%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1040/19
Castleton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
43%
Student body
<1K
Landmark College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
36%
Student body
<1K
Sterling College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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.
Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.