Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2023

Best Private Colleges in Vermont 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

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. 49%
  2. Norwich University
    3. 43%
  3. Bennington College
    4. 42%
  4. Goddard College
    5. 34%
  5. Saint Michael's College
    6. 28%
  6. Champlain College
    7. 24%
  7. Landmark College
    8. 17%
  8. Sterling College
    9. 14%
  1. Goddard College
    2. 100%
  2. Sterling College
    3. 100%
  3. Norwich University
    4. 87%
  4. Saint Michael's College
    5. 86%
  5. Bennington College
    6. 67%
  6. Champlain College
    7. 62%
  7. Landmark College
    8. 53%
  8. Middlebury College
    9. 13%
  1. Champlain College
    2. 14 to 1
  2. Norwich University
    3. 13 to 1
  3. Goddard College
    4. 11 to 1
  4. Saint Michael's College
    5. 11 to 1
  5. Bennington College
    6. 8 to 1
  6. Middlebury College
    7. 8 to 1
  7. Landmark College
    8. 7 to 1
  8. Sterling College
    9. 7 to 1
  1. Landmark College
    2. $61,490
  2. Middlebury College
    3. $59,770
  3. Bennington College
    4. $59,638
  4. Saint Michael's College
    5. $48,690
  5. Norwich University
    6. $44,020
  6. Champlain College
    7. $42,984
  7. Sterling College
    8. $39,200
  8. Goddard College
    9. $19,147
  1. Bennington College
    2. $23,673
  2. Goddard College
    3. $21,288
  3. Norwich University
    4. $20,264
  4. Champlain College
    5. $14,310
  5. Saint Michael's College
    6. $11,160
  1. Sterling College
    2. 14%
  2. Landmark College
    3. 17%
  3. Champlain College
    4. 24%
  4. Saint Michael's College
    5. 28%
  5. Goddard College
    6. 34%
  6. Bennington College
    7. 42%
  7. Norwich University
    8. 43%
  8. Middlebury College
    9. 49%
  1. Middlebury College
    2. 13%
  2. Landmark College
    3. 53%
  3. Champlain College
    4. 62%
  4. Bennington College
    5. 67%
  5. Saint Michael's College
    6. 86%
  6. Norwich University
    7. 87%
  7. Goddard College
    8. 100%
  8. Sterling College
    9. 100%
  1. Landmark College
    2. 7 to 1
  2. Sterling College
    3. 7 to 1
  3. Bennington College
    4. 8 to 1
  4. Middlebury College
    5. 8 to 1
  5. Goddard College
    6. 11 to 1
  6. Saint Michael's College
    7. 11 to 1
  7. Norwich University
    8. 13 to 1
  8. Champlain College
    9. 14 to 1
  1. Goddard College
    2. $19,147
  2. Sterling College
    3. $39,200
  3. Champlain College
    4. $42,984
  4. Norwich University
    5. $44,020
  5. Saint Michael's College
    6. $48,690
  6. Bennington College
    7. $59,638
  7. Middlebury College
    8. $59,770
  8. Landmark College
    9. $61,490
  1. Saint Michael's College
    2. $11,160
  2. Champlain College
    3. $14,310
  3. Norwich University
    4. $20,264
  4. Goddard College
    5. $21,288
  5. Bennington College
    6. $23,673

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
    #20 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #23 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2023 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    What is Middlebury College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. #7

    Landmark College

    Putney , VT
    #10 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2023 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Vermont 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Landmark College known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #8

    Sterling College

    Craftsbury Common , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    36%

    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

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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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