Best test-optional colleges in Vermont
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional 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.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions data).
- 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
- SAT or ACT not required
- 91% graduate
- 2
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 79% graduate
- 3
Bennington College
Bennington, VT · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 71% graduate
- 4
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 73% graduate
- 5
Champlain College
Burlington, VT · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 65% graduate
- 6
Norwich University
Northfield, VT · Private nonprofitTop 19% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 60% graduate
- 7
Sterling College
Craftsbury Common, VT · Private nonprofit#7 in Vermont
- SAT or ACT not required
- 32% graduate
- 8
Vermont State University
Randolph, VT · PublicTop 19% for low debt
- SAT or ACT not required
- 47% graduate
- 9
Landmark College
Putney, VT · Private nonprofitTop 25% for low debt
- SAT or ACT not required
- 43% graduate
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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34