Saint Michael's College: 85.2% Acceptance Rate

85.2%Acceptance

$50,040Tuition

1,157Students

69%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$61,317Earnings

#7 in VermontPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's College builds strong communities through Catholic liberal arts education and extensive service learning programs. The school enrolls 1,157 students on a suburban Vermont campus known for close faculty-student relationships. With an 85% acceptance rate, Saint Michael's welcomes students seeking personal attention in small classes. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know students by name, not number.

Students pay an average net price of $30,033 after financial aid, less than the $50,040 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $61,317 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $26,922 manageable. Monthly loan payments average $285, while the 84% loan repayment rate shows graduates can handle their obligations. The investment pays off through strong career outcomes and the school's extensive alumni network.

The Purple Knights compete in 21 NCAA Division II sports, with 436 student-athletes representing nearly 40% of the student body. Vermont draws students from across the country, with 81% coming from out of state. The 84% retention rate reflects student satisfaction with campus life. Service learning remains central to the Saint Michael's experience, connecting classroom theory with real-world impact in local communities.

Academics & Faculty

Saint Michael's College operates as a Catholic liberal arts institution where students engage closely with faculty across diverse academic disciplines. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment that supports meaningful mentorship and discussion-based classes. About 72% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the strong academic support systems in place. The college emphasizes experiential learning through its robust community service programs, which integrate academic study with real-world application. Students frequently pursue double majors or design interdisciplinary studies given the flexible liberal arts framework. The school's Catholic identity shapes its approach to ethics and social justice across all academic programs, from business to the sciences.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 98.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 71.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 68.9%
Retention Rate: 84.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $61,317
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Mathematics.	Bachelor	$52,107
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.	Master	$44,933
Economics.	Bachelor	$40,896
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language.	Master	$38,289
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$37,624
Political Science and Government.	Bachelor	$37,424
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$35,060
Communication and Media Studies.	Bachelor	$33,755
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$32,658
History.	Bachelor	$31,762

View all 46 programs →

Campus Life

The 1,157 students at Saint Michael's live in a tight-knit community where 84% return each year. Burlington, Vermont's largest city, sits just 15 minutes away, giving students access to restaurants, concerts, and Lake Champlain activities. Winter dominates the academic year with heavy snow from December through March, so pack your heaviest coat and snow boots. The campus housing capacity of 1,265 means nearly all students live on campus, creating a residential college atmosphere where you'll know faces across the quad.

Weekends often center around Purple Knights athletics, with 436 student-athletes competing in 21 varsity sports. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture through service learning and community outreach programs. Students frequently venture to nearby ski mountains or explore Burlington's downtown scene. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors become mentors, not just lecturers. With 81% out-of-state students, the campus draws from across the country but maintains a distinctly Vermont character where outdoor recreation and environmental consciousness run deep.

Setting: Suburb-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 1,265 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1904

Campus Safety (2023)

29 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Public Property
Dating Violence	4	3	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	6	0	1
Domestic Violence	2	2	0
Fondling	2	2	0
Rape	2	2	0
Stalking	1	1	0
Aggravated Assault	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 12°–28°F
July Avg: 62°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 37.5"
Annual Snowfall: 87.5"

Student Demographics

Saint Michael's draws students who value close-knit academic communities, with just 1,157 enrolled and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The student body comes primarily from outside Vermont, reflecting the college's regional Catholic liberal arts reputation across New England. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for liberal arts colleges that emphasize education, social work, and humanities programs. The college serves a predominantly middle-class population, with modest Pell Grant recipients but substantial institutional aid averaging $37,162. Students tend to be academically solid, with average SAT scores of 1238, and committed to the school's service-oriented Catholic mission.

Men: 45.7%
Women: 54.3%
White: 81.7%
Black: 3.5%
Hispanic: 6.2%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 19.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 17.7%

Location

Saint Michael's College sits in Colchester, Vermont, just 10 miles from Burlington, the state's largest city. The campus occupies 440 acres in the Champlain Valley, surrounded by Vermont's Green Mountains and offering views of Lake Champlain. Burlington provides access to restaurants, internships, and cultural events while maintaining a quintessential college town atmosphere. The area attracts outdoor enthusiasts with skiing at nearby Stowe and water activities on Lake Champlain. Vermont's small population of 645,000 creates tight-knit communities where the college's Catholic identity and liberal arts focus blend naturally with the state's progressive values. Students considering colleges in Vermont may also compare Saint Michael's College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Colchester, Vermont 05439

Old Hall, St. Michaels College, Winooski Park, Vermont

St. Mike's students at First Year Seminar

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $61,317
Median Earnings (5 years): $56,162
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $41,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 84.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $285/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,922

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Saint Michael's College?

Saint Michael's College accepts 85.15% of applicants, making it accessible to most qualified students. The middle 50% SAT range spans 1160-1315, reflecting solid academic preparation without extreme selectivity. This Catholic liberal arts college values character and community service alongside academic achievement.

How much does Saint Michael's College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $30,033, lower than the $67,535 sticker price. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $18,855 on average, while those from higher-income families ($110K+) pay around $34,664. The college provides substantial institutional grants averaging $37,162 to help make education affordable.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Saint Michael's College?

The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, ensuring personalized attention in this close-knit community of 1,157 students. This small liberal arts environment fosters the mentoring relationships Saint Michael's is known for. The retention rate of 84.11% reflects students' satisfaction with the intimate academic setting.

What do graduates of Saint Michael's College earn after graduation?

Graduates earn a median of $61,317 ten years after graduation, with strong employment outcomes reflected in a 98.1% employment rate. The typical monthly loan payment is $285 on median debt of $26,922. Alumni benefit from the college's emphasis on service learning and the strong networking opportunities within Vermont's tight-knit professional community.

Where is Saint Michael's College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Colchester, Vermont, a midsize suburban setting near Burlington and Lake Champlain. Housing capacity of 1,265 exceeds total enrollment of 1,157, creating a residential college experience where most students live on campus. The Purple Knights compete in 21 NCAA Division II sports with 436 total athletes, fostering school spirit in this close community.

How does Saint Michael's College's Catholic identity shape the student experience?

Founded in 1904 with Roman Catholic affiliation, the college emphasizes service learning and social justice as core educational components. Only 17.70% of students receive Pell Grants, and the student body is 81.68% white, reflecting a traditionally affluent New England Catholic college demographic. The institution's mission centers on developing ethical leaders through faith-based education and extensive community service opportunities.