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University of Vermont vs Bennington College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

University of Vermont has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,372 in 5.5 years versus not at all at Bennington College, on median earnings of $62,472 vs $38,289 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of VermontBennington College
Net price / yr$19,343$30,947
Total net cost$77,372$123,788
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,472$38,289
Median debt$20,951$26,000
Payback5.5 yrs
20-year net return$204,868-$325,208

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

Which is cheaper, University of Vermont or Bennington College?

University of Vermont, at $19,343 a year after aid versus $30,947 — a gap of $11,604 a year, or $46,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Vermont or Bennington College graduates earn more?

University of Vermont graduates report a median $62,472 ten years after entry, $24,183 more than the $38,289 at Bennington College. 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, University of Vermont or Bennington College?

University of Vermont: its completers carry a median $20,951 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Bennington College, a difference of $5,049. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at University of Vermont, against 71% at Bennington College. 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.

University of Vermont vs Bennington College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Vermont or Bennington College a better value?
University of Vermont. It clears its $77,372 net cost in about 5.5 years versus no clear payback at Bennington College, on median earnings of $62,472 vs $38,289 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Vermont or Bennington College?
University of Vermont: $19,343/yr net price after aid versus $30,947/yr at Bennington College — a difference of $11,604 a year, or about $46,416 over four years.
Do University of Vermont or Bennington College graduates earn more?
University of Vermont graduates earn a median $62,472 ten years after entry, versus $38,289 at Bennington College — a $24,183 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.