Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2024

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Small colleges in Vermont are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

10 Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2024

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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. Vermont Technical College
  8. Johnson State College
  9. Castleton University
  10. Landmark College
  1. Bennington College
  2. Middlebury College
  3. Norwich University
  4. Goddard College
  5. Saint Michael's College
  6. Champlain College
  7. Johnson State College
  8. Castleton University
  9. Vermont Technical College
  10. Landmark College
  1. Sterling College 93%
  2. Goddard College 86%
  3. Saint Michael's College 85%
  4. Norwich University 83%
  5. Castleton University 81%
  6. Johnson State College 73%
  7. Champlain College 56%
  8. Vermont Technical College 50%
  9. Bennington College 45%
  10. Landmark College 45%
  1. Castleton University 16 to 1
  2. Champlain College 14 to 1
  3. Johnson State College 13 to 1
  4. Norwich University 11 to 1
  5. Vermont Technical College 10 to 1
  6. Saint Michael's College 10 to 1
  7. Bennington College 9 to 1
  8. Middlebury College 9 to 1
  9. Landmark College 8 to 1
  10. Goddard 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
  9. Vermont Technical College $14,172
  10. Castleton University $11,832
  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. Vermont Technical College $13,410
  7. Castleton University $11,916
  8. Saint Michael's College $11,700
  9. Johnson State College $11,322
  1. Sterling College
  2. Landmark College
  3. Castleton University
  4. Johnson State College
  5. Vermont Technical College
  6. Champlain College
  7. Saint Michael's College
  8. Norwich University
  9. Goddard College
  10. Bennington College
  1. Sterling College
  2. Landmark College
  3. Vermont Technical College
  4. Castleton University
  5. Johnson State College
  6. Champlain College
  7. Saint Michael's College
  8. Goddard College
  9. Norwich University
  10. Middlebury College
  1. Middlebury College 13%
  2. Landmark College 45%
  3. Bennington College 45%
  4. Vermont Technical College 50%
  5. Champlain College 56%
  6. Johnson State College 73%
  7. Castleton University 81%
  8. Norwich University 83%
  9. Saint Michael's College 85%
  10. Goddard College 86%
  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. Vermont Technical College 10 to 1
  7. Saint Michael's College 10 to 1
  8. Norwich University 11 to 1
  9. Johnson State College 13 to 1
  10. Champlain College 14 to 1
  1. Johnson State College $11,592
  2. Castleton University $11,832
  3. Vermont Technical College $14,172
  4. Goddard College $18,477
  5. Sterling College $39,200
  6. Champlain College $44,220
  7. Norwich University $45,340
  8. Saint Michael's College $49,840
  9. Bennington College $61,448
  10. Middlebury College $62,460
  1. Johnson State College $11,322
  2. Saint Michael's College $11,700
  3. Castleton University $11,916
  4. Vermont Technical College $13,410
  5. Champlain College $14,310
  6. Middlebury College $14,550
  7. Norwich University $20,280
  8. Goddard College $22,246
  9. 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

Vermont's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Vermont is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 11 small colleges in Vermont. The list below of the best small colleges in Vermont. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Vermont 2023

  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. Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Vermont Technical College

    Cost of Degree: $15,546
    Expenses: $15,654
    Starting Salary: $45,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Vermont Technical College known for?

    Vermont Technical College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  6. #8

    Johnson State College

    Johnson , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Johnson State College

    Cost of Degree: $12,804
    Expenses: $15,154
    Starting Salary: $35,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Johnson State College known for?

    Johnson State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. #9

    Castleton University

    Castleton , VT

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Castleton University

    Cost of Degree: $13,078
    Expenses: $14,808
    Starting Salary: $40,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Castleton University known for?

    Castleton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  8. #10

    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:

  9. #11

    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 Small College in Your Area of 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

Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Nevada and Illinois.

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