by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Vermont? This list ranks 9 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 9 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 9 schools in Vermont to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Explore the best values below:
University Of Vermont earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Vermont. Located in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,472. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted.
Out of the 9 schools in Vermont in this year's value ranking, Vermont Technical College landed the #2 spot. Located in Randolph, VT, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Vermont Technical College students take on a median of $24,208 in debt. Vermont Technical College alumni report median earnings of $50,331 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Out of the 9 schools in Vermont in this year's value ranking, Community College Of Vermont landed the #3 spot. Set in Montpelier, VT, Community College Of Vermont is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, compared with $13,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,125. Community College Of Vermont alumni report median earnings of $36,234 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Norwich University one of the best values in Vermont. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, VT. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Graduates carry a median of $24,103 in student loans. Norwich University alumni report median earnings of $65,575 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 74% of those who apply are admitted.
Middlebury College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in Vermont. Located in Middlebury, VT, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Middlebury College students take on a median of $15,948 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,310 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Advanced Welding Institute landed the #6 spot for value in Vermont this year. Set in South Burlington, VT, Advanced Welding Institute is a private for-profit institution. The median program debt is $5,077.
Saint Michaels College placed #7 among the best values in Vermont. Set in Colchester, VT, Saint Michaels College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,450. Saint Michaels College students take on a median of $26,640 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,317. Set against $26,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Michaels College has an acceptance rate of 84%.
Obriens Aveda Institute landed the #8 spot for value in Vermont this year. Located in Williston, VT, Obriens Aveda Institute is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,832 in student loans.
Sterling College Vermont landed the #9 spot for value in Vermont this year. Based in Craftsbury Common, VT, Sterling College Vermont is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,760. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,573. Sterling College Vermont has an acceptance rate of 67%.
Bennington College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,262. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete their program here. Bennington College alumni report median earnings of $38,289 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 44% of those who apply are admitted.
Champlain College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Burlington, VT, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Graduates carry a median of $27,631 in student loans. Champlain College alumni report median earnings of $58,386 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Champlain College has an acceptance rate of 83%.
Landmark College landed the #12 spot for value in Vermont this year. Set in Putney, VT, Landmark College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,540. Typical student debt is $23,375. Median earnings reach $29,813 ten years out. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont State Colleges Office Of The Chancellor came in at #13 in this year's value ranking.
Sit Graduate Institute came in at #14 in this year's value ranking.
Goddard College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money.
Vermont Law School landed the #16 spot for value in Vermont this year.
Vermont College Of Fine Arts came in at #17 in this year's value ranking.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 9 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.