2024 Best Colleges for Performing Arts in Vermont

• Middlebury, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  522 reviews

Senior: Middlebury's location offers a unique experience to students where you are connected to nature, the community and your studies. I come from a big city, so the remote location terrified me, but I learned how valuable community and environment are through my studies in Middlebury. Professors have been so gracious and understanding throughout my four years, and made higher education so fun and inviting. As a Black person and an international student, I was also nervous about the demographics of Middlebury, but I quickly found my people and have made such strong bonds here. I have felt financially supported, academically challenged, and constantly inspired during my time in Middlebury. The change that I hope to see in Middlebury is and increase in the wages of staff members of the community. The workers here do so much for the community and deserve to be fairly compensated for their it.... Read 522 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 13%

• Net price $26,958

• SAT range 1380-1530

• Bennington, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  226 reviews

Sophomore: To anyone considering applying: please do so! It’s funny; I remember reading these reviews before applying and now am currently writing one. Honestly, some of these comments scared me, but I have had such a beautiful experience at this school. I genuinely love it. Not going to lie, it takes time to find your people, but once you do, you’re home. There’s no comparing the access to faculty and the ample resources available to you. Since class sizes are so small, you’re able to have conversations with professors and get direct feedback. Bennington is also doing a lot better with its approach to mental health and supporting underrepresented students. Our campus and houses (we don’t have traditional dorms, we live in houses!) are gorgeous. Also, the financial aid alone was reason enough for me to attend. Though there are some issues with Bennington, in my opinion, it’s a lot of the same problems you get at other schools :))... Read 226 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $35,569

• SAT range —

• Burlington, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  1,915 reviews

Sophomore: As a second-year at the University of Vermont, I can't help but feel incredibly fortunate to have found this hidden gem tucked away in beautiful New England. Honestly, when I began my college search, I never imagined I'd fall so head-over-heels in love with a university - but UVM has truly captured my heart. What stands out the most for me is the sense of community at UVM. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I felt welcomed by the warm smiles and friendly "hellos" from students and faculty alike. The academic experience at UVM is equally phenomenal. With professors who genuinely care about their students, I feel challenged in all my courses. I've explored a variety of subjects, and discovered passions I never knew I had. UVM's commitment to sustainability and environment is another aspect I deeply appreciate. From the LEED-certified buildings to the abundance of eco-friendly initiatives on campus, UVM has a strong green ethos that permeates every aspect of student life. Go UVM!... Read 1,915 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $19,873

• SAT range 1240-1410

• Castleton, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.38 out of 5  511 reviews

Senior: I am going to be a senior in the 2023-2024 school year majoring in criminal justice and criminology. Overall I have had an amazing experience at Castleton University, the professors are amazing and so much fun to work with, there are so many opportunities to get involved on campus such as the Student Government Association which I am a part of as the Chief Justice of Student Court, there is the Multicultural Club and Spectrum Pride which are two very inclusive clubs, and if there isn't a club on campus that interests you you can create your own very easily! While Castleton does have many options for food when it comes to dietary restrictions, as someone with celiac disease the staff at all our dinning options have been amazing with working with me to make sure I have food to eat and have even brought in new stuff for me to try. Castleton has been amazing and the people here are all very nice! I have had a great time here!... Read 511 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $17,970

• SAT range 940-1140

• Colchester, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  559 reviews

Alum: As stated in many other reviews, Saint Mike's is definitely a hidden gem. My favorite thing about Saint Mike's is the community. As a recent alum, I'm still in touch with some of my professors and supervisors from on-campus jobs that I met as a student. All of the staff and faculty care really deeply about the students and love to watch as students grow and succeed. It's really uplifting to have so much support from faculty and staff. The on-campus living situation made it really easy to make friends fast and to stay close with my friends. All of the living situations were nice and worked well. Athletics are taken a bit too seriously by administration. It's definitely true that athletes have an unfair advantage at the school. Athletes are often allowed to get away with a lot more than your average student because of how much athletics are praised even though our sports teams aren't really that great.... Read 559 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $28,979

• SAT range 1060-1290

• Johnson, VT•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.2 out of 5  338 reviews

Senior: The academic staff are amazing and will work with students to achieve their goals. Amazing psychology and theatre programs on campus. The campus is beautiful and easy to walk around. The food is decent, served buffet style. Covid certainly took a hit on the student population, but people are coming back. Some professors can be hard to work with, but every college has one or two. It is a very affordable school, and won't completely break the bank.... Read 338 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 75%

• Net price $17,086

• SAT range 870-1100