For prospective students considering enrolling in a Vermont online college, the state offers a surprising number of options for higher education. Although one of the smallest states geographically and in terms of population, Vermont boasts 24 colleges and universities as of 2016. This includes six public schools (including one, two-year institution), 17 nonprofit schools, and one for-profit, four-year school. Learners can earn associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates by attending a community college of Vermont online.
The following guide introduces prospective learners to online higher education in the state and includes a list of the best online colleges in Vermont. We also cover the cost of tuition for out-of-state distance learners, discuss some of the most affordable Vermont colleges online, and include a list of scholarships for online students in the state. We also look at the overall job outlook for college graduates in Vermont.
Recommended Reading
Overview of Online Colleges in Vermont
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Vermont
Vermont boasts a healthy higher education system with a variety of options for prospective students considering attending a college or university in the state. Vermont enrolled 44,720 students at degree-granting postsecondary institutions in 2016. College Board data from the 2018-2019 school year shows the amount that students, particularly those who do not qualify for in-state tuition, pay to attend college in Vermont. In-state tuition at four-year public schools in Vermont averaged $16,040 that year, making it the second most expensive state for in-state tuition at four-year public schools in the U.S. after New Hampshire. Vermont students pay significantly more than students in most other states. Tuition at Vermont's flagship university, the University of Vermont, costs $17,740 per year for in-state students and $41,360 annually for out-of-state learners.[dataviz-stats public="6" non-profit="17" for-profit="1"]Prospective students can help offset the higher-than-average cost of tuition for higher education in Vermont by taking advantage of a variety of financial aid opportunities, including student loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. Data from the NASSGAP annual survey shows that students in Vermont received $20,743,630 in need-based grants, $114,630 in grants without a need component, and an additional $383,060 in non-grant student aid. One challenge facing Vermont colleges and universities includes declining enrollments, particularly for schools located further north in the state. Online education serves as one way to better retain students at schools in Vermont facing this challenge, since student recruitment can go beyond low-population areas. Additionally, students can continue their courses even if they move to a different part of Vermont or even out of state.
Higher Education in Vermont
Featured Online Programs
The State of Online Higher Education in Vermont
A 2017 online learning survey found that 10,800 students (8,350 undergraduate and 2,450 graduate learners) took one or more online college courses in Vermont. This makes up 24.6% of the total student body, lower than the national average of 29.7%. However, the number of students taking online courses increased by 27.5%, more than the national average rate of 11% growth between 2012 and 2015. This demonstrates that distance education appears to be catching on in the state. In Vermont, 5,830 students, or 13.3% of the study body, take all of their courses online. This includes 3,490 undergraduates and 2,340 graduate students. Of the students taking distance courses, 39.5% live in Vermont, with the rest living out of state. The majority of them — 86.7% — take a mix of on-campus and distance courses.[dataviz-nces online="13.3" undergrad="54.3" in-state="39.5"]
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
The cost of tuition for out-of-state students tends to exceed what in-state students pay to receive the same education. Many colleges and universities offer online learners who live out of state tuition breaks or charge them in-state tuition. However, this is not always the case. Thankfully, many out-of-state learners can save on tuition by participating in a regional program organized by the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE).NEBHE promotes educational opportunities for students living in the New England region. Among other goals, it facilitates regional cooperation and educational resource sharing. One of New England's oldest educational resource-sharing and cost-saving programs, NEBHE's New England Regional Student Program (RSP) Tuition Break provides funding for students to attend out-of-state colleges and universities if they pursue a major not offered by a public institution in their state of residency. New England residents who enroll in approved out-of-state academic programs in the six New England states can save substantially on tuition; the average RSP participant saves $7,900 each school year. By participating in the program, residents from each of the New England states can afford to go to school in other states in the region. NEBHE member states include Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Best Online Colleges in Vermont
Below, we list our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Vermont. Our profiles examine how schools approach online education and then list their services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Vermont, explore our state resources, such as a database of every college and university in Vermont or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Vermont
Below, we list the best online colleges in Vermont, sorted by affordability.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online colleges is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in VT with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in Vermont.
College Graduate Outlook in Vermont
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Vermont
College graduates in Vermont face a very favorable outlook for job openings and salary, thanks to the state's strong economy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a very low 2.8% unemployment rate for Vermont. Low levels of unemployment generally make it easier for job seekers to find positions and receive better compensation. This can particularly benefit recent graduates and individuals just starting out in their careers. Workers in Vermont make about as much as professionals in the rest of the country. The state's mean annual wage for all occupations of $48,840 ($23.48 per hour) sits just slightly below the national average of $50,620 ($24.34 per hour).