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10 Best Colleges in Vermont
What’s Covered:
The Green Mountains. Maple syrup. Phenomenal skiing opportunities. The birthplace of Ben and Jerry’s. That’s Vermont in a nutshell.
But it’s not the whole picture. Vermont is also home to some of the oldest and most renowned institutions of higher education in the country. Is one of them the college for you?
Our Ranking Methodology
In these rankings, we focused on school quality, outcomes, and ROI. We examined data such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among many others. Students can see our full rankings here.
Best Colleges in Vermont
1. Middlebury College
Location: Middlebury
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Middle 50% SAT: 1330-1500
Middle 50% ACT: 31-34
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,500
Founded in 1800 as the first operating higher education institution in Vermont, Middlebury College is one of the best liberal arts schools in the nation. Famed for immersive language study, it’s a leader in study abroad and offers programs across the liberal arts at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Middlebury is also the site of the renowned Breadloaf Conference, one of the oldest writers’ conferences in the world.
Diversity, environmental sustainability, tradition, and excellence in pedagogy are core values and missions at Middlebury. The school also upholds a commitment to fostering lifelong learning skills in students.
Learn more about Middlebury College and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Vermont
Location: Burlington
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 1180-1360
Middle 50% ACT: 26-31
Undergrad Enrollment: 11,300
Chartered in 1791, the same year Vermont became the U.S.’s 14th state, UVM was the fifth college in New England. An early advocate of diversity, the university admitted two female students in 1871, defying convention at the time.
UVM offers more than 100 bachelor’s programs, 57 master’s degree programs, 27 doctoral programs, and 36 accelerated master’s programs, along with an M.D. program. The university ranks highly among medium-sized schools for graduates entering the Peace Corps, and between the classes of 2018–20, 93% of graduates were employed within six months of graduation. Students also have numerous extracurricular options, including a nationally recognized debate team.
Learn more about UVM and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Norwich University
Location: Northfield
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,100
Norwich is a pioneer in so many respects. The oldest private, senior military college in the U.S., Norwich was founded in 1819. It is the birthplace of ROTC and has committed to providing exceptional online education since 1998. It was also the first private institution in the U.S. to teach engineering, as well as one of the first military colleges to accept women and institutions of higher learning to accept international students.
Today, Norwich continues to educate a diverse student body across its five colleges, which learns in an interdisciplinary curriculum.
Learn more about Norwich University and what it takes to get accepted.
4. St. Michael’s College
Location: Colchester
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Middle 50% SAT: 1130-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 24-29
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,600
A Catholic institution welcoming students of all faiths and diverse backgrounds, St. Michael’s believes in “faith in action.” This is exemplified by the volume of students who participate in service. Students also engage in clubs, activities, and events across campus and have access to internships and study abroad opportunities. There are over 40 majors and minors students can pursue—from Pre-Pharmacy to Education to Art & Design. As liberal arts college, St. Michael’s seeks to give students a grounding in disciplines outside of their majors.
Learn more about St. Michael’s College and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Bennington College
Location: Bennington
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Middle 50% SAT: 1240-1360
Middle 50% ACT: 25-31
Undergrad Enrollment: 700
Maximum flexibility is what characterizes an education at Bennington. Through graduate-style academic advising, students have access to the mentorship they need to succeed. The college is the only one in the country to require an annual internship, through which students work at an organization of their choosing anywhere in the world.
At the heart of a Bennington education is the Plan. Through close collaboration with faculty, students develop their own structure for their academic journey’s, allowing them to focus on topics and disciplines that they are passionate about and will help them grow.
Learn more about Bennington College and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Vermont Technical College
Location: Randolph
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 820-1050
Middle 50% ACT: 17-23
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,600
Ranked in the 96th percentile for return on investment nationally, VTC offers a career-focused technical and professional education to prepare students for the future. In fact, it’s Vermont’s top college in terms of graduate earnings.
Across the School of Agriculture Plant and Animal Sciences, School of Engineering and Computing, School of General Education, School of Nursing and Health Professions, and School of Professional Studies and Management, VTC has more than 45 hands-on programs, complemented by small class sizes and personalized attention.
Learn more about VTC and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Champlain College
Location: Burlington
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Middle 50% SAT: 1090-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 22-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,800
Champlain College has been named one of the “Most Innovative Schools” in the North by U.S. News for five years in a row. This is largely due to the college’s many creative pathways. Students engage in experiential learning, internships, and more, while receiving personal guidance from advisors and professors.
Champlain offers “hands-on, relevant” education, in part through a liberal arts Core with an Upside-Down Curriculum. Their unique Upside-Down Curriculum allows students to focus on classes specific to their major when they are freshmen so they are prepared for internships and research opportunities sooner than students at other schools who are required to take Gen-Ed classes first. Additionally, the college has a robust online program, where students can learn and earn their degrees 100% virtually.
Learn more about Champlain College and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Landmark College
Location: Putney
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 400
Landmark is one of the few accredited colleges in the U.S. that caters exclusively to students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. The college provides accessible and personalized approaches to learning and individual attention—as demonstrated through a low student/faculty ratio of 6:1.
Landmark was originally founded as an associate degree-granting institution and today it offers both bachelor’s and associate’s degrees. Students live on campus in a close-knit community and have access to academic support through experienced advisors who help students achieve their personal and professional goals.
Learn more about Landmark College and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Sterling College
Location: Craftsbury Common
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: >200
Sterling is a unique college in that it focuses on the human relationship with the natural world. The college offers ecologically focused bachelor’s degrees in four areas:
- Ecology
- Environmental Humanities
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
- Outdoor Education.
Alternatively, students also have the option to design their own program of study.
As one of nine federally recognized Work Colleges in the country, Sterling gives students the opportunity to offset their tuition by working part-time on campus. Meanwhile, students also take part in a weekly Community Meeting, alongside learning in small class sizes.
Learn more about Sterling College and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Castleton University
Location: Castleton
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Middle 50% SAT: 920-1110
Middle 50% ACT: 18-23
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,800
Since 1787, Castleton has offered a personalized approach to education. The university calls itself “a place where individuals matter,” and this is exemplified by a compassionate faculty, sustainable environment practices, and community partnerships.
Castleton offers more than 75 programs of study, including eight graduate programs. Outside of the classroom, students participate in collegiate sports and participate in diverse extracurricular activities, all while taking part in a close-knit residential community.
Learn more about Castleton University and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
Many of Vermont’s top schools are highly selective, but your personal chances of admission depend on your profile. Find out your real odds of getting into these and hundreds of other schools across the country with our chancing engine. This free tool not only estimates your true chances of acceptance, but it will also give you tips on how to improve your profile for success.
