Vermont State University
Vermont State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Vermont State University at a Glance
Vermont State University is a public university in Vermont.
2023
3 years old
4,775
4,003 undergrad · 772 grad
205
Identity
Is Vermont State University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Vermont State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,331 — 6% below average — while paying $18,212/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Vermont State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Vermont State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #129 of 185 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #129 | Vermont State University | 33 | $18,212 | $50,331 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Vermont State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Vermont State University
The highest-earning program at Vermont State University is Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians at $55,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $31,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduate from Vermont State University earns $55,800, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $31,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $22,250 in median debt vs. $20,500 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,212/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | $55,800 | $55,800 | $22,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,100 | $31,100 | $20,500 |
Similar Colleges in VT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Randolph, VT
- Student Body
- 3,590 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,212
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,331
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000