2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Vermont
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Vermont? This list ranks 17 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 17 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Vermont
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Saint Michaels College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Vermont. Based in Colchester, VT, Saint Michaels College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,450. Graduates carry a median of $26,640 in student loans. Median earnings reach $61,317 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,640 median debt. Saint Michaels College has an acceptance rate of 84%. See the full Saint Michaels College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Champlain College earned it the #2 place in Vermont. Based in Burlington, VT, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Students borrow a median of $27,631 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,386. Set against $27,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Champlain College has an acceptance rate of 83%. Read the full report on Champlain College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Vermont earned it the #3 place in Vermont. This public school is set in Burlington, VT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $22,607. University Of Vermont alumni report median earnings of $62,472 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants. Read more about University Of Vermont
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norwich University earned it the #5 place in Vermont. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, VT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,103. Median earnings reach $65,575 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,103 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Norwich University
Goddard College landed the #7 spot for value in Vermont this year. Located in Plainfield, VT, Goddard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Goddard College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $30,644 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,552 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Goddard College
Sit Graduate Institute landed the #8 spot for value in Vermont this year. Based in Brattleboro, VT, Sit Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,734. Read more about Sit Graduate Institute
Middlebury College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $76,310 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Middlebury College
Obriens Aveda Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Read more about Obriens Aveda Institute
Landmark College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. See the full Landmark College profile
Vermont State Colleges Office Of The Chancellor ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Vermont State Colleges Office Of The Chancellor
Vermont Law School came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. More on Vermont Law School
Advanced Welding Institute ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Advanced Welding Institute report
Bennington College landed the #13 spot for value in Vermont this year. Read more about Bennington College
Community College Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Community College Of Vermont report
Vermont Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. More on Vermont Technical College
Vermont College Of Fine Arts placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Vermont. See the full Vermont College Of Fine Arts profile
Sterling College Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Get the full Sterling College Vermont report
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 9 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).