by our College Data Analytics TeamMiddlebury College ranks #1 of 9 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Vermont ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 9 colleges average a 59% six-year graduation rate and $58,077 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Vermont, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **9** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 9 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Middlebury College leads the 9 ranked colleges in Vermont, followed by University Of Vermont (#2) and Saint Michaels College (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Middlebury College to be the best college in Vermont. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Median early-career earnings reach $54,713. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of Vermont earned it the #2 place in Vermont. Located in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. The median student debt is $22,607.
Out of the 9 colleges in Vermont in this year's ranking, Saint Michaels College landed the #3 spot. Set in Colchester, VT, Saint Michaels College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,450. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,240 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,640.
You'll be in good company at Champlain College, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Burlington, VT, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,850. Champlain College graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,490. The median student debt is $27,631.
Out of the 9 colleges in Vermont in this year's ranking, Norwich University landed the #5 spot. Based in Northfield, VT, Norwich University is a private not-for-profit institution. Norwich University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,740. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,706. The median student debt is $24,103.
Vermont Technical College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Randolph, VT, Vermont Technical College is a public institution. Vermont Technical College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Vermont Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,822. Graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans.
Bennington College placed #7 among the best colleges in Vermont. Set in Bennington, VT, Bennington College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,262. Median early-career earnings reach $29,031. Students borrow a median of $26,815 to complete a degree here.
Sterling College Vermont came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Craftsbury Common, VT. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,760.
Landmark College placed #9 among the best colleges in Vermont. Set in Putney, VT, Landmark College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 14%. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,540. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.