At $20,860/yr net price, University of Vermont graduates earn $62,472/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,472/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,860 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,440 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,472/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,472/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 78.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,951 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,958/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,113/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,261/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,233/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,049/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $83,546 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,325 | $24,375 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $67,287 | $142,405 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,005 | $31,363 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,875 | $25,000 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $59,177 | $219,221 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $57,770 | $26,356 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $56,641 | $20,734 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,770 | $22,875 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $54,361 | $65,944 |
The Risk Factor
78.6% of students at University of Vermont graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 21% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Vermont gives you a solid, middle-of-the-road financial return. Median debt sits below median earnings, and with a 78.6% graduation rate and 88% retention, you're likely to finish and start paying that debt down without dragging out extra semesters that inflate your cost.
Your major decides the outcome here. Electrical engineering graduates earn the most and clear their higher debt load fastest. Nursing pays well and lines up directly with hospital demand in Burlington and across the region, where healthcare is a stable employer. Computer science stands out because it carries the lowest debt of the top five while still paying in the high fifties, so your payoff ratio is the best of the group. Clinical lab science and mechanical engineering both pay off, though lab science carries the heaviest debt relative to its salary. UVM is a science, engineering, and health school when you look at what actually earns money, so if you're coming for those fields, the numbers work.
The main financial risk is Vermont itself. Burlington is small, the state economy is thin outside healthcare and higher ed, and many of the best-paying jobs for these majors sit in Boston or New York, where your cost of living jumps. If you enroll in a major outside the top earners, no bachelor-level salary data backs up a strong return, so treat those choices carefully.
Net price scales hard with income. Under $30k, you pay around $12,000. over $110k, you pay $28,000. If your family earns above six figures, UVM is a full-freight private-adjacent price, and you should compare it against your in-state flagship before committing. If you're low income and targeting engineering, nursing, or computer science, this is a good bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Vermont worth the cost?
University of Vermont graduates earn $62,472 annually ten years after graduation, which is reasonable given the $20,860 net price and $20,951 median debt. The ROI depends heavily on your program, with nursing and engineering majors earning significantly more than the average.
What are the best paying majors at University of Vermont?
Nursing graduates from University of Vermont earn around $83,546 annually, while electrical engineering majors average $72,325. These programs offer strong returns compared to the school's overall graduate earnings of $62,472.
How much debt do University of Vermont students graduate with?
University of Vermont graduates carry a median debt of $20,951, which is manageable compared to the national average. With average earnings of $62,472 ten years out, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Does University of Vermont have good financial aid?
University of Vermont's net price averages $20,860 per year after aid, making it more affordable than the sticker price. However, aid varies significantly by family income, so run the net price calculator for your specific situation.