Colleges in Vermont

Why go to College in Vermont?

Vermont is one of the smallest states in the country, but has many prestigious colleges, such as Middlebury and Bennington. Whether you’re interested in campus programs or online colleges in Vermont, this guide provides everything you need to know about higher education in this New England state.

Population

With an estimated population of around 624,000, Vermont is the second least populous state in the U.S., trailing only Wyoming. The largest city, Burlington, has a population of 42,000. Most of the state’s higher learning institutions are found in small college towns.

Climate

Vermont has a humid climate, with mild summers, colorful autumns, and long, cold winters that include heavy snow. Ranking as one of the coldest states in the country, Vermont’s annual snowfall averages 60-100 inches.

Number of Higher Learning Institutions

The state is home to 32 colleges and universities, including the five-school Vermont State Colleges system, the University of Vermont, and several private colleges.

Sporting Events

Vermont is too small for professional sports teams, but the state has minor league and NCAA teams in sports like baseball, basketball, soccer, and indoor football. Given the climate, winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey, are also popular.

Nightlife

Though the state is small, the concentration of colleges and universities makes for an active nightlife and cultural scene in cities across the state. The University of Vermont is located a few blocks away from downtown Burlington, which includes many bars, restaurants, and live-music venues. Other popular college towns, like Middlebury and Northfield, include similar night-time entertainment.

What Options are Available for Colleges in Vermont?

Popular Degree Programs in Vermont

Vermont’s most popular degree choices are environmental science and English. This indicates that many Vermont students are more concerned with expanding their knowledge than building technical or vocational skills.

• Environmental Science

  Environmental science applies scientific principles to the study of the natural environment, developing solutions to problems like pollution, climate change, and overpopulation.

• English Language and Literature

  English students examine and interpret literary texts, placing works in an aesthetic, historical, cultural, and political context. Vermont is home to several prominent liberal arts colleges that host respected English programs, including Bennington, Middlebury, Goddard, and Marlboro.

What are the Best Online Colleges in Vermont?

This list is intended to help you understand your options as you explore the best online colleges in Vermont. The schools in this ranking are all fully accredited, academically respected, and home to flexible online learning programs, allowing you to earn a degree without putting your life on hold. The list covers online schools in Vermont that offer different degree levels, including bachelor's and graduate programs.

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1	Champlain College Burlington, VT		ADMISSIONS RATE 66% GRADUATION RATE 58% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 44% RETENTION RATE 79% DEFAULT RATE 5% A private college overlooking Burlington, Champlain focuses on career-driven higher education programs that prepare students for a competitive job market. Prospective students seeking to complete their studies online have several options including bachelor's degrees in accounting, business management, software development, and integrated studies. The programs are delivered fully online in an asynchronous format. One of the top online colleges in Vermont, Champlain has a generous transfer policy and accepts up to 90 transferable credits. Students can also earn credit for military experience. Admission into one of Champlain's programs requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum GPA of 2.5 in prior coursework, and an aptitude for success in an online learning environment.	Visit Site
2	Norwich University Northfield, VT		ADMISSIONS RATE 57% GRADUATION RATE 56% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 42% RETENTION RATE 74% DEFAULT RATE 5% Whether students join Norwich's Corps of Cadets or prefer civilian life, they have access to faculty mentors and programs that offer numerous hands-on learning opportunities. One of the top online colleges in Vermont, Norwich offers a portfolio of online degree programs that includes bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, cybersecurity, management studies, and interdisciplinary studies. There are also master's degrees available in areas such as business administration, civil engineering, and leadership. One notable program is the bachelor's degree in national security studies, which equips students with skills applicable to the military, intelligence community, and law enforcement. Norwich also offers a bachelor's degree in strategic studies and defense analysis that is designed for servicemen assigned to, or retired from, the U.S. Special Operations Command or NATO Special Operations Forces. Up to 90 semester credits can be transferred into the program.	Visit Site
3	University of Vermont Burlington, VT		ADMISSIONS RATE 71% GRADUATION RATE 77% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 1% RETENTION RATE 86% DEFAULT RATE 3% A top research university and one of the best online schools in Vermont, UVM boasts an extensive catalog of online degree programs and student resources. The university offers an online bachelor's degree completion program in health science for working professionals who have earned an associate degree or one year of college credit. An RN to BSN degree is also available for registered nurses. On top of UVM's undergraduate programs, the school offers master's degrees in medical science, medical laboratory science, and leadership for sustainability. Prospective students can also apply for several online certificates in unique areas such as the craft beer business, ecological economics, and digital marketing.	Visit Site

What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Vermont?

Cheaper than four-year colleges and universities, community colleges typically offer associate degrees that focus on vocational skills. They usually take two years to complete, allowing you to quickly enter the workforce with minimal time spent in school. An associate degree can also serve as the first half of a four-year degree. Many two-year programs fulfill the general education requirements of bachelor's degrees.

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1

Community College of Vermont Winooski, VT

ADMISSIONS RATE 19%

GRADUATION RATE 21%

RETENTION RATE 15%

DEFAULT RATE 51%

CCV operates 12 campuses across the state, creating an extensive network of online community colleges in Vermont. Offering study abroad programs, internships, professional field experiences, and community service opportunities, the school focuses on experiential learning. CCV also provides several online programs, almost all of which can be completed fully online. CCV's online associate degrees include STEM studies, early childhood education, and criminal justice. Online certificate programs include medical billing and coding, website design, bookkeeping, and substance abuse services. CCV offers its students a generous transfer policy. Through the college's Vermont State Colleges Direct Admission Program, students are guaranteed transfer admission to Castleton University, Vermont Tech, or Northern Vermont University, where they can choose from a large selection of bachelor's programs.

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Education Trends in Vermont

Vermont spends less than the national average on higher education, allocating less per pupil and a much smaller percentage of tax revenue overall. Despite reduced education spending, citizens of Vermont are more educated than average Americans in every category, boasting higher rates of attainment at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate level.

Paying for College in Vermont

Tuition is one of the major determining factors for where students attend college, and this is particularly true in Vermont, where tuition rates at public two- and four-year colleges are higher than the national average. It's important to compare the prices of different schools and consider your financial aid options.

Tuition Prices

The chart below compiles average in-state tuition rates for public colleges in Vermont. These figures don’t include any of the other costs typically associated with higher education, including textbooks, transportation, and housing.

Financial Aid

Whether you’re applying to online colleges in Vermont or any other state, one of your first steps should be to fill out the FAFSA, which provides you access to financial aid opportunities. If you’re eligible, grants and scholarships are always the best funding options since they don’t have to be repaid. Federal loans are preferable to private loans, because they typically offer lower interest rates and more generous repayment plans. Private loans usually offer less flexible repayment options.

Cost for Online Programs in Vermont

Student can obtain financial aid whether they attend on-campus or online schools in Vermont. Online programs are usually the same price as campus programs (some may even be cheaper), and they also allow you to save on some expenses, such as transportation, childcare, and sometimes books. Renting online textbooks, which are often available at a discounted price, is another way to cut down on the cost of school.

Scholarships for Vermont College Students

Philip and Alice Angell Eastern Star Scholarship

$500; must demonstrate financial need, hold a minimum GPA of 3.5, and be pursuing a degree in business or education.

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Horatio Alger Vermont Scholarship

$2,000 annually; must be a high school senior planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. The application requires demonstration of financial need, community service, and extracurricular involvement.

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Harry and Vi Bradley Memorial Scholarship

$1,000; must be a Vermont high school student who demonstrates financial need and school/community involvement. The scholarship is open to students pursuing degrees in public safety, including emergency services, law enforcement, fire service, and health care.

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Ted Bridges Hospitality Scholarship

$1,000; must be a currently enrolled Vermont college student seeking a degree in hospitality or tourism.

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Ray Pellegrini 'Reach for the Stars' Scholarship

$1,000; must be a second-year, first-generation Vermont college student. Community service and/or volunteer work is strongly encouraged.

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Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?

While most scholarships are applicable to campus programs and online colleges in Vermont, some may have unique requirements that make them unavailable to online students, such as campus residency. Before applying for a scholarship, be sure to check with the school or organization to ensure that online students are eligible for the award.

Employment Outlook in Vermont

Vermont boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, nearly a full percentage point lower than the national average. And while the state’s annual mean wage is slightly lower than the national average, the high rate of employment makes it possible to find a job with a competitive salary. Finance, education, healthcare, and government rank as some of the top industries in the state, and Vermont is also home to a large manufacturing sector, with many companies, like IBM, operating manufacturing plants within the state.

Top Employers and Industries in Vermont

State Exchange Programs for Vermont College Students

There are plenty of options for on-campus and online schools in Vermont, but the state also offers exchange programs that allow you to attend college in neighboring states while still paying in-state tuition. These state programs allow you to become an in-state student outside of your state of residence—some temporarily and some for the duration of a program.

Cost of Living by Region

Most online schools in Vermont have a tuition that is higher than the national average, which makes it important to choose a college where the cost of living is low. While larger urban centers like Burlington have a higher cost of living, many of Vermont’s colleges are found in smaller towns, such as Bennington, which offer much lower rental and home buying prices. The following chart compiles rent and home prices for several cities in the region.

Accreditation for Colleges in Vermont

Whether you’re researching online colleges in Vermont or any other state, it’s always important to determine an institution’s accreditation status, particularly for online schools, where the risk of fraudulence runs higher. Accreditation indicates that a school has been examined by a professional accreditation organization and meets professional standards.

The two most common forms of accreditation are regional and national. Regional accreditation is generally reserved for academic four-year colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees, while national accreditation is awarded to professional and vocational schools that offer career-oriented associate degrees. While one type of accreditation isn’t necessarily “better” than another, they do indicate different standards for schools, and it’s typically more difficult to transfer credits from a nationally accredited institution to a regionally accredited one.

Online programs are held to the same accreditation standards as campus programs. When researching different programs, whether online or campus, it’s a good idea to consult the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database, which keeps track of nearly all the country’s major accreditation organizations.