Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Vermont

Vermont's public universities offer Liberal Arts and Sciences programs at dramatically lower costs than their private counterparts, with University of Vermont and Vermont State University both charging around $20,860 in net costs compared to private schools reaching $50,879. This gap matters in a state where tourism and healthcare sectors actively recruit graduates with strong communication and analytical skills developed through liberal arts education. The 78.60% graduation rate at UVM suggests strong student support despite the affordability.

Programs

$20,860 – $50,879

Net Price Range

$43,798

Avg. Program Earnings

61.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Vermont Burlington, Vermont	$20,860	$18,890	78.6%	59.8%
2	Vermont State University Randolph, Vermont	$20,865	$11,400	48.9%	49.8%
3	Middlebury College Middlebury, Vermont	$25,934	$65,280	92.6%	12.7%
4	Goddard College Plainfield, Vermont	$30,152	$19,568	75.0%	85.7%
5	Sterling College Craftsbury Common, Vermont	$30,785	$40,760	42.9%	92.9%
6	Bennington College Bennington, Vermont	$31,918	$64,644	66.7%	45.3%
7	Champlain College Burlington, Vermont	$35,000	$45,550	63.0%	55.7%
8	Landmark College Putney, Vermont	$50,879	$64,290	26.5%	44.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between public and private liberal arts programs in Vermont?

Public institutions like University of Vermont ($20,860 net cost) and Vermont State University ($20,865) benefit from state funding that keeps costs low. Private colleges like Landmark College charge $50,879 net cost, nearly 2.5 times more, though they often provide specialized programs or smaller class sizes.

How do graduation rates vary across Vermont's most affordable liberal arts programs?

University of Vermont leads with a 78.60% graduation rate despite being the most affordable option. Vermont State University shows a 48.90% rate, while some private colleges like Sterling College graduate only 42.90% of students despite higher costs.

Does the Vermont Grant actually make liberal arts education more accessible?

The Vermont Grant helps in-state students significantly, as seen in the $11,400 in-state tuition at Vermont State University versus the $20,865 net cost. University of Vermont's in-state rate of $18,890 also stays well below the net cost figure.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.