University of Vermont vs Community College of Vermont: which has better ROI?
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 Community College of Vermont, on median earnings of $62,472 vs $36,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Vermont | Community College of Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,343 | $13,696 |
| Total net cost | $77,372 | $27,392 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,472 | $36,234 |
| Median debt | $20,951 | $10,491 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $204,868 | -$269,912 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Vermont or Community College of Vermont?
Community College of Vermont, at $13,696 a year after aid versus $19,343 — a gap of $5,647 a year, or $49,980 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 Community College of Vermont graduates earn more?
University of Vermont graduates report a median $62,472 ten years after entry, $26,238 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, University of Vermont or Community College of Vermont?
Community College of Vermont: its completers carry a median $10,491 in federal loans versus $20,951 at University of Vermont, a difference of $10,460. 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 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.