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Community College of Vermont vs Champlain College: which has better ROI?

Public, Montpelier VT · vs · Private nonprofit, Burlington VT

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Champlain College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $143,440 in 14.3 years versus not at all at Community College of Vermont, on median earnings of $58,386 vs $36,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCommunity College of VermontChamplain College
Net price / yr$13,696$35,860
Total net cost$27,392$143,440
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,234$58,386
Median debt$10,491$26,814
Payback—14.3 yrs
20-year net return-$269,912$57,080

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Community College of Vermont or Champlain College?

Community College of Vermont, at $13,696 a year after aid versus $35,860 — a gap of $22,164 a year, or $116,048 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Community College of Vermont or Champlain College graduates earn more?

Champlain College graduates report a median $58,386 ten years after entry, $22,152 more than the $36,234 at Community College of Vermont. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Community College of Vermont or Champlain College?

Community College of Vermont: its completers carry a median $10,491 in federal loans versus $26,814 at Champlain College, a difference of $16,323. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Champlain College, against 20% at Community College of Vermont. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Community College of Vermont vs Champlain College: frequently asked questions

Is Community College of Vermont or Champlain College a better value?
Champlain College. It clears its $143,440 net cost in about 14.3 years versus no clear payback at Community College of Vermont, on median earnings of $58,386 vs $36,234 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Vermont or Champlain College?
Community College of Vermont: $13,696/yr net price after aid versus $35,860/yr at Champlain College — a difference of $22,164 a year, or about $116,048 over four years.
Do Community College of Vermont or Champlain College graduates earn more?
Champlain College graduates earn a median $58,386 ten years after entry, versus $36,234 at Community College of Vermont — a $22,152 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.