Champlain College
Champlain College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Champlain College at a Glance
Champlain College is a private college in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1878, Champlain offers on-campus undergraduate and online undergraduate courses through Champlain College Online, along with online certificate and degree programs and master's degree programs, in over 80 subject areas. Champlain enrolls 3,060 undergraduate students on its Burlington campus from 40 states and 18 countries.
1878
148 years old
3,328
2,886 undergrad · 442 grad
106
27 acres
Identity
Is Champlain College Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Champlain College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $58,386 — 9% above average — while paying $35,860/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Champlain College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Champlain College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #66 of 85 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #66 | Champlain College | 26 | $35,860 | $58,386 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Champlain College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Champlain College
The highest-earning program at Champlain College is Computer Software and Media Applications at $56,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $20,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Software and Media Applications graduate from Champlain College earns $56,300, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $20,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Software and Media Applications graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $24,749 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $35,860/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $56,300 | $56,300 | $27,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $52,700 | $52,700 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,900 | $49,900 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,600 | $43,600 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,900 | $35,900 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $35,500 | $35,500 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,500 | $32,500 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $30,000 | $30,000 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,800 | $28,800 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,500 | $23,500 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $21,400 | $21,400 | $27,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,300 | $20,300 | $24,749 |
Similar Colleges in VT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Burlington, VT
- Student Body
- 2,752 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $35,860
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,386
- Median Student Debt
- $26,814