University of Vermont
University of Vermont — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Vermont at a Glance
The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, commonly referred to as the University of Vermont (UVM), is a public land-grant research university in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1791, UVM is the oldest university in Vermont and the fifth-oldest in New England. Roughly coinciding with Vermont's statehood, the plans for and development of the university date back to the days of the Vermont Republic, making it unique among public universities in the US to be at least p…
1791
235 years old
$896M
$896 million (2024)
14,320
12,168 undergrad · 2,152 grad
2,013
460 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Vermont
Official admissions pageAugust 1
August 1 (Early Action)
Is University of Vermont Worth It?
University of Vermont delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $19,343/year, it's priced 5% below average, while graduates go on to earn $62,472 — 16% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 79% graduation rate means roughly 21% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Vermont compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 22 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 75 | $16,467 | $69,960 |
| #4 | University of California-Santa Cruz | 71 | $17,890 | $68,396 |
| #5 | Fashion Institute of Technology | 67 | $19,095 | $62,696 |
| #6 | University of Vermont | 63 | $19,343 | $62,472 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Vermont's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Vermont
The highest-earning program at University of Vermont is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Zoology/Animal Biology at $20,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Vermont earns $61,600, while a Zoology/Animal Biology graduate earns $20,000. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Zoology/Animal Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,343/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,600 | $61,600 | $25,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $53,300 | $53,300 | $23,676 |
| Computer Science | $53,000 | $53,000 | $23,062 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $52,300 | $52,300 | $25,823 |
| Civil Engineering | $51,000 | $51,000 | $23,900 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,000 | $44,000 | $23,000 |
| Mathematics | $43,500 | $43,500 | $18,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $41,600 | $41,600 | $25,000 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $39,600 | $39,600 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $34,200 | $34,200 | $21,937 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $34,100 | $34,100 | $22,527 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,700 | $33,700 | $24,037 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,700 | $33,700 | $23,251 |
| Economics | $33,000 | $33,000 | $22,260 |
| Biology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $23,250 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $32,200 | $32,200 | $26,486 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,100 | $32,100 | $20,375 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $30,800 | $30,800 | $25,682 |
| Social Work | $30,400 | $30,400 | $16,187 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $30,300 | $30,300 | $21,781 |
| Psychology, General | $30,100 | $30,100 | $23,970 |
| Sociology | $28,200 | $28,200 | $19,500 |
| Anthropology | $27,900 | $27,900 | $19,125 |
| History | $27,200 | $27,200 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,700 | $25,700 | $22,125 |
| International/Global Studies | $24,500 | $24,500 | $20,756 |
| Animal Sciences | $24,400 | $24,400 | $20,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $22,306 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $23,758 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $20,000 | $20,000 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in VT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Burlington, VT
- Student Body
- 11,743 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,343
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,472
- Median Student Debt
- $20,951