Skip to Main Content

2020 Best Value Colleges in VermontAbout this List

Explore the colleges that are the best value for your money based on net price, alumni earnings, graduation rates, and student debt using data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews. The ranking compares the most affordable colleges with the best return on investment. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 14 of 14
Best Value
14 results

Best Programs

Students

Social Scene

Campus

Athletics

  1. Middlebury College

    • 4 Year
    • Middlebury, VT
    • 489 reviews
    #1 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Junior: My overall experience with Middlebury College is a positive one. Although Middlebury has pushed me in ways unimaginable through academics and socially on campus I have learned through each obstacle and hardship I have gone through. I have learned valuable knowledge about who I am as a both a person and a student. I come from New York City, so moving to move Vermont has been a huge culture shock but Middlebury’s community has made it bearable. Middlebury is a place that makes you self-aware and pushes you out of your comfort zone! I’m excited to see where my future will go from here!
    Read 489 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Value
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,841 Net Price
    • 1320-1510 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Norwich University

    • 4 Year
    • Northfield, VT
    • 478 reviews
    #2 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Junior: Don't come here if you want Greek life; we don't have it. Don't come here for your traditional college experience; we don't have that either. People say there is nothing around, but I disagree. To the east is Paine Mountain, to the west is the Dog River, and the north is a tiny little town called Northfield. If you have the mental capacity to enjoy something other than frats and parties you'll love this spot in the middle of nowhere. If you like the outdoors, you'll love this spot. I don't recommend the civilian side, join the corps. Challenge yourself a little, it's not that hard and if you're weak minded enough to quit you never should've came in the first place. Norwich Forever!
    Read 478 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,801 Net Price
    • 930-1160 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. University of Vermont

    • 4 Year
    • Burlington, VT
    • 1,682 reviews
    #3 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Niche User: Love it! Such a great campus with lots and lots of opportunities offered throughtout. Many chances to intern and get connected with the outside world. Great little safe city outside the college. Easy to contact teachers and lots of things to get yourself involved in on campus and off campus. Very pretty campus with average size dorms but very clean and organized rooms. You’ll always find somebody or something to love at the university of Vermont. They have a dairy bar where you can get all different flavors of ice cream at almost any time of the day right in the cafeteria. There is also easy access to skiing and snowboarding mountains which is an activity a lot of students choose to involve themselves in here at University of Vermont. Last but not least, there are thousands and thousands of clubs, sport teams and activities that every student is allowed to go into.
    Read 1,682 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 67% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,815 Net Price
    • 1180-1350 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  4. Saint Michael's College

    • 4 Year
    • Colchester, VT
    • 512 reviews
    #4 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Freshman: Everyone here is so nice! We have really good academic programs, cool extracurriculars, hundreds of talks and presentations that are really interesting to attend, and most of the classes here are under 30 students. You really get to know everyone here and it's just a nice community to be a part of. It would be nice if the school was a little more diverse, but that's just northern Vermont I guess.
    Read 512 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 85% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,997 Net Price
    • 1060-1290 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Vermont Technical College

    • 4 Year
    • Randolph Center, VT
    • 184 reviews
    #5 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Niche User: I have heard nothing, but wonderful comments on Vermont Technical College. However, the college's programs are competitive, I am honored to be accepted into any one of their offered degree programs. Vermont Tech is highly competitive and caught my attention because of how competitive their nursing program is. I am excited to join the college in the upcoming year, as well as gain an exceptional education from my top college!
    Read 184 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Value
    • 63% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,610 Net Price
    • 840-1050 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Castleton University

    • 4 Year
    • Castleton, VT
    • 479 reviews
    #6 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Sophomore: I really love castleton! I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to such a small campus, but I ended up liking it so much. The people there are so nice and always willing to help you and be there for you. While the students are the same way. I made so many new friends so quickly, it was incredible. The food was great, the work load wasn't to bad either. Overall, I would recommend Castleton University
    Read 479 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 82% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,467 Net Price
    • 920-1130 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Champlain College

    • 4 Year
    • Burlington, VT
    • 710 reviews
    #7 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Sophomore: I have made many friends at Champlain College, have used the school's resources, and have taken advantage of its location in Burlington, Vermont. The school is really great at pointing students in the direction of obtaining a career after their 4 years at the college. Every year, there are career building requirements, career coaches you give aid in LinkedIn profiles and resumes, and internship opportunities. I feel on track to a successful career. Champlain also does a really good job at giving its students free ways to enjoy activities off campus, and the Student Activities board organizes things on campus for the students to enjoy. On the other hand, the food situation at Champlain is not the best, but has gotten better since I have started school here. There are also no "real" sports teams at the college except the rugby team.. so if you are looking for a pep rally type of place, this probably is not it. We do have club and intramural sports though!
    Read 710 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Value
    • 70% Acceptance Rate
    • $37,566 Net Price
    • 940-1208 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  8. Northern Vermont University - Lyndon Campus

    • 4 Year
    • Lyndonville, VT
    • 257 reviews
    #8 Best Value Colleges in Vermont

    Junior: What I loved about Lyndon State College was that the student to professor ratio was 15-20:1. The professors are willing to work one-on-one and help you succeed. There is many resources available such as tutors, and the academic support center which helps students prioritize, schedule classes, and learn how to effectively study. The academics are optimal and require professionalism and the programs expect high quality, to their best effort out of the students. The community is very open and willing to help anybody. Lyndon gives the opportunity for students to be an athlete while having their main focus on school then sports after. There is many activities to do on campus from student life scheduling opportunities. Activities off campus also includes skiing, hiking, etc. Lyndon provides the optimal opportunity for school and fun, all while receivin the college experience.
    Read 257 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Value
    • 97% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,304 Net Price
    • 930-1170 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  9. Bennington College

    • 4 Year
    • Bennington, VT
    • 209 reviews

    Freshman: Overall it was pretty enjoyable to be here. It's been great so far for me academically, the teachers are super super friendly and approachable. The resources are adequate. Only major downside is the local area is pretty barren, and it can get pretty lonely here during the winter, which is like most of the school year.
    Read 209 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Value
    • 57% Acceptance Rate
    • $32,667 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  12. Northern Vermont University - Johnson Campus

    • 4 Year
    • Johnson, VT
    • 322 reviews

    Niche User: I loved Johnson State when I stayed there. It became a home to me! The campus is beautiful and perfectly placed close to town and other locations with fun events, and the people there are amazing, alongside the food which is always important to consider! Professors are great and willing to work with students during many times of the day, which also goes for the kitchen staff and the admissions office! The dorms are great and super cozy for a college! I miss spending time in the dorm buildings so much! I would do anything to put myself back there with the same group of people for one more night! Overall, I love Johnson State College and would highly recommend it for others!
    Read 322 Reviews

    • C-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Value
    • 87% Acceptance Rate
    • $15,071 Net Price
    • 870-1100 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  13. New England Culinary Institute

    • 4 Year
    • Montpelier, VT
    • 65 reviews

    Freshman: NECI has a great program but I unfortunately started when they were transferring to a new president. He communication has been horrible, but my class experience is amazing! Truley worth my time and money!
    Read 65 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Value
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,770 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. Sterling College - Vermont

    • 4 Year
    • Craftsbury Common, VT
    • 15 reviews

    Freshman: Sterling is a great place to school, but you have to know what you're getting into. It's really small, (140 undergrads as of 2017), so anonymity is not possible around here. Craftsbury is a great town, but be prepared to make your own fun in the long winter months. The students are great, and there's more diversity of thought than you might think from a school that appears to market so heavily to hippies. Classes are never more than 12 people, so teachers are super available, but that also means you will be around them constantly. We all eat together here, and everything's pretty informal. Also, be ready to work! Chores and Work Program will keep you busy, which can occasionally be stressful, especially when you have to get up at 6am and feed the pigs. Sterling definitely isn't for everyone, but the people that it is for will find a permanent home here in Craftsbury Common.
    Read 15 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Value
    • 94% Acceptance Rate
    • $34,352 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. Marlboro College

    • 4 Year
    • Marlboro, VT
    • 140 reviews

    Freshman: Marlboro is great because you have a lot of control on your experience. If there's not a class you want to take you can talk to a professor and make a personalized tutorial. Town meeting makes it possible for you to get involved and make institutional changes. We just voted to remove the Coca Cola soda machine because Coke has many human rights violations and environmental issues. All the professors are great at teaching and very decent human beings. The only issue with having so much control over your school experience is that you can easily waste your time if you don't hold yourself to a certain amount of accountability. The Outdoor Program has hikes and trips every week and makes it very easy to check out equipment for virtually no price. Overall it's very good if you are self driven.
    Read 140 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Value
    • 97% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,048 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  16. Goddard College

    • 4 Year
    • Plainfield, VT
    • 33 reviews

    Junior: I love Goddard! Go maroon!! Everytime I step onto our campus, I feel an overarching sense of pride and joy. The academics are great and it has provided me with everything I have wanted in a college.
    Read 33 Reviews

    • NG
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Value
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,083 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  17. Sponsored

    Champlain College

    • 4 Year
    • Burlington, VT
    • 710 reviews

    Sophomore: I have made many friends at Champlain College, have used the school's resources, and have taken advantage of its location in Burlington, Vermont. The school is really great at pointing students in the direction of obtaining a career after their 4 years at the college. Every year, there are career building requirements, career coaches you give aid in LinkedIn profiles and resumes, and internship opportunities. I feel on track to a successful career. Champlain also does a really good job at giving its students free ways to enjoy activities off campus, and the Student Activities board organizes things on campus for the students to enjoy. On the other hand, the food situation at Champlain is not the best, but has gotten better since I have started school here. There are also no "real" sports teams at the college except the rugby team.. so if you are looking for a pep rally type of place, this probably is not it. We do have club and intramural sports though!
    Read 710 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 70% Acceptance Rate
    • $37,566 Net Price
    • 940-1208 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  18. Find College Scholarships