At $35,000/yr net price, Champlain College graduates earn $58,386/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,386/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,000 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $140,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,386/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,386/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,814 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,378/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,755/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $33,025/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,867/yr |
| $110,001+ | $40,631/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Science and Technology. | Master | $111,435 | $35,971 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,635 | $31,090 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,417 | $27,000 |
| Security Science and Technology. | Bachelor | $59,350 | $27,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $55,964 | $36,271 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $27,000 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master | $54,713 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $26,917 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,432 |
The Risk Factor
63.0% of students at Champlain College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Champlain College gives you a middling financial return that hinges almost entirely on your major. At $35,000 a year in net price, this is a private college priced like one, and the $58,386 median earnings ten years out barely clears what many state schools deliver for far less. You leave with about $27,000 in debt, and only 63% of you graduate, so the sticker price buys no guarantee you finish.
The tech majors are where the money is. Computer Science and Security Science both pay near $59,000, and IT management and software applications land in the mid-$50,000s. If you enroll in one of these, your earnings roughly match your debt load, which is the floor for a workable outcome. Accounting drops to under $49,000 against nearly the same $27,000 debt, so the margin gets thinner. Anything outside these listed programs has no earnings data here, and given the overall $58,386 median, softer majors likely land below the tech numbers while costing you the same $35,000 a year.
The specific risk at Champlain is paying private-college prices for a non-tech degree. Burlington's job market is small, and a 77% retention rate means one in four of you leaves after freshman year, often still carrying debt without a degree to show for it.
The net price tiers punish the middle. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $26,500. Above $110,000, you pay over $40,000. But the $48,000-$75,000 bracket jumps to $33,000, so working families see aid drop off fast as income rises.
Come here if you want a tech or cybersecurity degree and can manage the cost. If you're drawn to a lower-paying field, a cheaper school protects you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Champlain College worth the high tuition cost?
Champlain College's $35,000 annual net price is steep for graduates earning $58,386 after 10 years. The ROI makes sense mainly if you're pursuing cybersecurity or business programs, which pay significantly more than the school average.
What programs at Champlain College have the best return on investment?
Security Science and Technology graduates earn $111,435 annually, making it Champlain's clear winner for ROI. Business Administration follows at $73,635, while other programs like Computer Science and Education hover closer to $55,000-59,000.
How much debt do Champlain College students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $26,814, which is manageable if you land a high-paying cybersecurity job but risky for lower-earning programs. With a 63% graduation rate, many students don't finish to see any return.
Does Champlain College provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The $35,000 net price suggests limited financial aid effectiveness at bringing costs down to affordable levels. Students should have a clear career plan in high-paying fields before taking on this debt load.