The Most Affordable Colleges in Vermont That Actually Graduate Their Students
University of Vermont offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Vermont, graduating 79% of students within six years at $14,240 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Vermont’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Vermont | Burlington | 79% | $14,240 | $32,996 | 30 |
| 2 | Vermont Technical College | Randolph | 48% | $14,909 | $27,149 | N/A |
1. University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
University of Vermont graduates 79% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,240 per year. Out-of-state students pay $32,996. Median ACT: 30.
2. Vermont Technical College
Randolph, Vermont
Vermont Technical College graduates 48% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,909 per year. Out-of-state students pay $27,149.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Vermont by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 4 qualifying public institutions in Vermont.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
