1. University of Vermont (UVM)
The University of Vermont (UVM), located in Burlington, is a public research university known for its strong programs in environmental studies, health sciences, and agriculture. Founded in 1791, UVM offers a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, emphasizing hands-on learning and research opportunities.
U.S. News Ranking: 118 (National Universities)
Number of Students: Approximately 13,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT Score: 1180-1370
Extracurricular activities at UVM include student government, outdoor recreation clubs, community service projects, research initiatives, and cultural organizations.
5 Famous Alumni:
- John Dewey – Philosopher and educator
- Grace Potter – Musician
- Timothy Cook – Former CEO of Apple Inc.
- Madeleine Kunin – Former Governor of Vermont
- Howard Dean – Former Governor of Vermont and DNC Chair
Top employers of UVM graduates include UVM Medical Center, IBM, GlobalFoundries, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, and University of Vermont itself.
2. Middlebury College
Middlebury College, located in Middlebury, is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academic program and strong emphasis on foreign language education. Founded in 1800, Middlebury offers undergraduate degrees in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and global engagement.
U.S. News Ranking: 7 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
Number of Students: Approximately 2,500
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT Score: 1320-1500
Extracurricular activities at Middlebury College include student publications, performing arts groups, outdoor recreation clubs, community service projects, and study abroad programs.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Julia Alvarez – Author
- John M. McHugh – Former U.S. Secretary of the Army
- Howard Dean – Former Governor of Vermont and DNC Chair
- Bill McKibben – Environmentalist and author
- Bret Stephens – Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Top employers of Middlebury College graduates include Teach for America, Boston Consulting Group, Google, McKinsey & Company, and Middlebury College itself.
3. Norwich University
Norwich University, located in Northfield, is a private military college known for its strong engineering and architecture programs, as well as its Corps of Cadets. Founded in 1819, Norwich offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, with a focus on leadership and experiential learning.
U.S. News Ranking: 62 (Regional Universities North)
Number of Students: Approximately 4,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT Score: 1040-1230
Extracurricular activities at Norwich University include military training, ROTC programs, student clubs and organizations, community service projects, and athletic programs.
5 Famous Alumni:
- John Allen – Former Commander of U.S. Central Command
- Harry Bates Thayer – Former Governor of Vermont
- Gordon R. Sullivan – Former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
- John Condon – Former CEO of UPS
- Charles A. Plumley – Former U.S. Congressman
Top employers of Norwich University graduates include U.S. Department of Defense, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, IBM, and Norwich University itself.
4. Bennington College
Bennington College, located in Bennington, is a private liberal arts college known for its progressive approach to education and emphasis on student-driven learning. Founded in 1932, Bennington offers undergraduate degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and creative expression.
U.S. News Ranking: 92 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
Number of Students: Approximately 700
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT Score: 1090-1280
Extracurricular activities at Bennington College include student-run publications, visual and performing arts groups, community service projects, internships, and study abroad programs.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Peter Dinklage – Actor
- Bret Easton Ellis – Author
- Donna Tartt – Author
- Jill Johnston – Dance critic and feminist writer
- Michael Pollan – Author and journalist
Top employers of Bennington College graduates include The New York Times, Google, Facebook, Penguin Random House, and Bennington College itself.
5. Champlain College
Champlain College, located in Burlington, is a private college known for its career-focused programs in business, technology, and creative arts. Founded in 1878, Champlain offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online programs, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and professional development.
U.S. News Ranking: 94 (Regional Universities North)
Number of Students: Approximately 5,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT Score: 1080-1270
Extracurricular activities at Champlain College include student clubs and organizations, internships, study abroad programs, community service projects, and career development workshops.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Martin Pratt – Founder of LiquidPlanner
- Lisa Chang – CEO of Lumenora
- David Crozier – Co-founder of Logic Supply
- Jane Nelsen – Co-founder of Positive Discipline
- David Finney – President and CEO of Champlain College
Top employers of Champlain College graduates include IBM, Dealer.com, MyWebGrocer, GE Healthcare, and Champlain College itself.
6. Saint Michael’s College
Saint Michael’s College, located in Colchester, is a private Catholic college known for its liberal arts curriculum and commitment to social justice. Founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, Saint Michael’s offers undergraduate degrees in various fields, with a focus on critical thinking, ethical leadership, and community engagement.
U.S. News Ranking: 139 (National Liberal Arts Colleges)
Number of Students: Approximately 2,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT Score: 1080-1250
Extracurricular activities at Saint Michael’s College include campus ministry, volunteer service programs, student clubs and organizations, intramural sports, and cultural events.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Phil Hoff – Former Governor of Vermont
- Martin Charnin – Tony Award-winning lyricist and director
- William J. Doyle – Former U.S. Senator
- Martha Rainville – Former Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard
- Bill McKibben – Environmentalist and author
Top employers of Saint Michael’s College graduates include Deloitte, KPMG, IBM, State Street Corporation, and Saint Michael’s College itself.
7. Castleton University
Castleton University, located in Castleton, is a public liberal arts university known for its strong programs in education, fine arts, and environmental studies. Founded in 1787, Castleton offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online programs, with a focus on experiential learning and community involvement.
U.S. News Ranking: 42 (Regional Universities North)
Number of Students: Approximately 2,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT Score: 990-1180
Extracurricular activities at Castleton University include student clubs and organizations, community service projects, internships, study abroad programs, and athletic programs.
5 Famous Alumni:
- William Sorrell – Former Vermont Attorney General
- Thomas Salmon – Former Governor of Vermont
- Justin A. Smith – Founder of Outerwall
- Edward J. Flanagan – Founder of Boys Town
- Ted Koppel – Journalist
Top employers of Castleton University graduates include Rutland Regional Medical Center, Green Mountain Power, Vermont State Government, TD Bank, and Castleton University itself.
8. Vermont Technical College
Vermont Technical College, located in Randolph Center, is a public technical college known for its hands-on, career-focused programs in engineering, agriculture, nursing, and business. Founded in 1866, Vermont Tech offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as certificate programs, with a strong emphasis on applied learning and workforce development.
U.S. News Ranking: 33 (Regional Colleges North)
Number of Students: Approximately 1,600
Degrees Offered: Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT Score: Not reported
Extracurricular activities at Vermont Technical College include student clubs and organizations, internships, cooperative education programs, community service projects, and industry partnerships.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Peter Shumlin – Former Governor of Vermont
- Matt Dunne – Former Vermont State Senator
- Richard Mazza – Vermont State Senator
- T.J. Donovan – Vermont Attorney General
- John Campbell – Former Vermont State Senator
Top employers of Vermont Technical College graduates include GlobalFoundries, IBM, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, UVM Medical Center, and Vermont Technical College itself.
9. Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University (NVU), with campuses in Johnson and Lyndon, is a public university known for its strong programs in education, environmental science, and outdoor recreation. Established in 2018 through the merger of Johnson State College and Lyndon State College, NVU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs, with a focus on hands-on learning and community engagement.
U.S. News Ranking: Not ranked
Number of Students: Approximately 2,000
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT Score: 970-1160
Extracurricular activities at Northern Vermont University include student clubs and organizations, outdoor recreation clubs, community service projects, internships, and research opportunities.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Alexander Dunlap – Former Vermont State Senator
- Larry Jensen – Entrepreneur and founder of Dynapower
- Charles Baker – Vermont State Representative
- Ernest Gibson – Former Vermont State Senator
- Ernest Allen – Former Vermont State Representative
Top employers of Northern Vermont University graduates include Jay Peak Resort, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Vermont State Government, and Northern Vermont University itself.
10. Burlington College
Burlington College, located in Burlington, was a private liberal arts college known for its progressive education philosophy and emphasis on experiential learning. Founded in 1972, Burlington College offered undergraduate degrees in various fields, with a focus on sustainability, social justice, and community engagement. However, the college closed in 2016 due to financial challenges.
U.S. News Ranking: Not ranked
Number of Students: Not applicable (college closed)
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s degrees in various fields
Acceptance Rate: Not applicable
Average SAT Score: Not applicable
Extracurricular activities at Burlington College included student-run publications, environmental advocacy groups, community service projects, and artistic endeavors.
5 Famous Alumni:
- Jane O’Meara Sanders – Social worker and wife of Bernie Sanders
- Robin Lloyd – Journalist and television producer
- Steve Grossman – Musician and founder of the band Gang of Four
- Eugene Mirman – Comedian and actor
- Eric Olsen – Former CEO of LafargeHolcim
Although Burlington College is no longer operational, its alumni have gone on to pursue diverse careers in fields such as politics, media, entertainment, and business.