Community College of Vermont vs Saint Michael's College: which has better ROI?
Saint Michael's College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,956 in 7.8 years versus not at all at Community College of Vermont, on median earnings of $61,317 vs $36,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Vermont | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,696 | $25,239 |
| Total net cost | $27,392 | $100,956 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,234 | $61,317 |
| Median debt | $10,491 | $26,922 |
| Payback | — | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$269,912 | $158,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Vermont or Saint Michael's College?
Community College of Vermont, at $13,696 a year after aid versus $25,239 — a gap of $11,543 a year, or $73,564 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 Saint Michael's College graduates earn more?
Saint Michael's College graduates report a median $61,317 ten years after entry, $25,083 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 Saint Michael's College?
Community College of Vermont: its completers carry a median $10,491 in federal loans versus $26,922 at Saint Michael's College, a difference of $16,431. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Saint Michael's 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.