Best colleges in Vermont
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Vermont9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Vermont.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Vermont
- Value grade B+ · Top 32%
- 91% graduate
- 2
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 79% graduate
- 3
Bennington College
Bennington, VT · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Value grade C+
- 71% graduate
- 4
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- 73% graduate
- 5
Champlain College
Burlington, VT · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade C+
- 65% graduate
- 6
Norwich University
Northfield, VT · Private nonprofitTop 19% for earnings
- Value grade B · Top 42%
- 60% graduate
- 7
- 8
Vermont State University
Randolph, VT · PublicTop 19% for low debt
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- 47% graduate
- 9
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury College | $31,483 | $13,857 | $76,310 | 91% |
| University of Vermont | $19,343 | $20,951 | $62,472 | 79% |
| Bennington College | $30,947 | $26,000 | $38,289 | 71% |
| Saint Michael's College | $25,239 | $26,922 | $61,317 | 73% |
| Champlain College | $35,860 | $26,814 | $58,386 | 65% |
| Norwich University | $22,257 | $25,000 | $65,575 | 60% |
| Sterling College | $21,854 | $23,000 | $30,573 | 32% |
| Vermont State University | $18,212 | $15,000 | $50,331 | 47% |
| Landmark College | $56,954 | $17,500 | $29,813 | 43% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3