Best Online Colleges in Vermont of 2023
Online higher education options in the state of Vermont include not just traditional four-year universities, but also community colleges, certification programs, and virtual apprenticeships. If you’re planning to take college courses online, Vermont boasts plenty of options to choose from. Below, we’ll go over tuition rates, financial aid, and everything else you need to know about attending online universities and colleges in Vermont.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Vermont. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
We reviewed institutions accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the six-state regional accreditation agency. This holds colleges and universities to rigorous quality standards, from academic quality to mission, organization, resources, and institutional effectiveness over time. One institution is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which holds private institutions across the United States to these same high standards.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Vermont
Does Vermont have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Champlain College’s Online Associate in Accounting and Northern Vermont University’s Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Vermont to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields, such as computing or social services. Vermont is rich in graduate school options, like the University of Vermont’s Online Master’s in Public Health and Norwich University’s Online Master’s of Business Administration (MBA).
Do online college credits in Vermont cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Vermont became a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) in 2015. This means out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Vermont schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose Vermont for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to top public research universities, Vermont offers something for every type of online college student. One option that stands out as particularly appealing is Northern Vermont University, which offers a flat rate of $355 per undergraduate credit for all online students regardless of state residency. The university offers nine undergraduate degree programs, including psychology, accounting, and criminal justice.
The Cost of Online College in Vermont
How much does an online degree in Vermont cost?
The cost of an online degree in Vermont depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses such as transportation, parking, and housing by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Vermont below:
- Most affordable online college in Vermont: Champlain University, $328 per credit
- Most expensive online college in Vermont: Vermont Technical College, $613 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Vermont to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you will be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Vermont for 12 consecutive months. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Vermont?
Through the 802 Opportunity, Vermont offers free community college for residents whose annual family income is $75,000 or below. Funded by the Vermont Legislature, the program is open to new or returning students of any age. Recipients can choose from 33 associate degree programs at the Community College of Vermont. For Vermont residents attending four-year schools, the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation offers the Vermont Incentive Grant based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The Vermont Incentive Grant can be used at schools in or out of state.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Vermont
If you don’t qualify for grants from the state of Vermont, there are many other sources of financial support available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
VSAC-Assisted Scholarships
The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) administers 120 scholarships to Vermont residents. You only need to fill out one application to be considered for all scholarships you’re eligible for. Some scholarships have certain criteria, like specific majors or financial need.
Who’s eligible? These scholarships are available to Vermont residents only. You must also be a United States citizen or an eligible noncitizen. If you’re in the U.S. military, you must have Vermont listed as your “home of record.”
Contact information: [email protected] | 800-642-3177
The Curtis Fund
Annually, the Curtis Fund provides over $1 million in scholarships to mostly low-income, first-generation college students in Vermont. The fund has existed for over a century to level the playing field so every Vermonter has an opportunity to obtain higher education, regardless of family background, income level, or birthplace.
Who’s eligible? The Curtis Fund does not accept direct applications from students. Since 1995, it has worked with the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to identify recipients. You should fill out the FAFSA for consideration.
Contact information: [email protected] | 802-654-3798
Horatio Alger State Scholarship
This national scholarship program, funded by Francis T. Nichols and the Horatio Alger Endowment Fund in Vermont, is named after American author Horatio Alger. It’s offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school seniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Vermont residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
Vermont Federal Credit Union Scholarships
For more than 20 years, this Vermont-based financial institution has been awarding scholarships to members. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership activities, community service, and responses to an essay question.
Who’s eligible? Applicants must be members of the credit union. Scholarships are awarded to both high school seniors and current college students. You do not have to be attending college in the state of Vermont to receive an award.
Contact information: [email protected] | 802-658-0225
5 Fastest Growing Industries in Vermont
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, you may be undecided on your major as well. In that case, one of the most important factors you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Vermont — this will make it easier to find a job, and more demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By examining the Vermont Department of Labor’s 2018-2028 Long-Term Occupational Projections, we’ve determined that the following five industries will have the highest growth rates in Vermont in the immediate years to come:
Personal Care and Service
The personal care and service industry is a broad sector that mostly focuses on consumer quality-of-life services throughout the lifespan. In Vermont, the most common occupations in this sector are child care workers and recreation workers. Other jobs include funeral attendants, makeup artists, skin care specialists, and gambling service workers. All jobs in this industry have an average statewide salary of $37,240, which is above the national average.
- Growth: 15%
- Degree options: Associate in Cosmetology, Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor’s in Recreation and Leisure, Bachelor’s in Funeral Service Management, Bachelor’s in Animal Behavior, Master’s in Leadership, Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Computers and Mathematics
More and more tech startups are choosing Vermont to open shop, increasing the number of jobs in the computer and mathematical industry. Within this sector, the most common occupations are software developers, computer systems analysts, and computer user support specialists. Other occupations in this domain include information research scientists, actuaries, and web developers. The average statewide salary for all jobs in this industry is $80,180.
- Growth: 12%
- Degree options: Associate in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Cloud Computing, Bachelor’s in Front-End Design Development, Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics, Master’s in Data Science, Ph.D. in Statistics
Healthcare Support
Vermont has the fourth-largest aging population in the nation, sparking an increased need for healthcare support workers. Within this sector, the most common occupations are home health and personal care aides, nursing assistants, and medical assistants. Other occupations include psychiatric aides, physical therapy assistants, veterinary assistants, massage therapists, and pharmacy aides. The average statewide salary for all jobs in this industry is $34,900, which is slightly above the national average.
- Growth: 8%
- Degree options: Associate in Veterinary Technology, Associate in Nursing, Associate in Dental Assisting, Associate in Clinical Laboratory Technician, Bachelor’s in Health Administration, Bachelor’s in Health and Human Services, Bachelor’s in Pre-Occupational Therapy
Community and Social Service
There are many job openings in Vermont for professionals in the mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder fields. Within this sector, the average salary in Vermont is $46,100, with the other most common occupations being social and human service assistants. Many jobs in this sector do not require a graduate degree, including community health workers and career counselors.
- Growth: 7%
- Degree options: Associate in Psychology, Bachelor’s in Psychology, Bachelor’s in Sociology, Bachelor’s in Addiction Studies, Master’s in Psychology, Master’s in Social Work, Ph.D. in Psychology
Life, Physical, and Social Science Organizations
Although Vermont is the smallest state by geography, this mountainous area is rich in natural resources like granite, marble, and slate. The University of Vermont also has a prestigious natural resources science program, so it’s no surprise this industry is one of the strongest in the state. Jobs include soil and plant scientists, foresters, chemists, biological technicians, and epidemiologists. In Vermont, the average salary for jobs in this sector is $65,970.
- Growth: 6%
- Degree options: Associate in Food Science, Bachelor’s in Archaeology, Bachelor’s in Geography, Bachelor’s in Economics, Master’s in Political Science, Master of Forestry, Ph.D. in Urban Planning