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

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

The verdict

Middlebury College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,932 in 4.5 years versus 5.5 years at University of Vermont, on median earnings of $76,310 vs $62,472 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of VermontMiddlebury College
Net price / yr$19,343$31,483
Total net cost$77,372$125,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,472$76,310
Median debt$20,951$13,857
Payback5.5 yrs4.5 yrs
20-year net return$204,868$433,068

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

Which is cheaper, University of Vermont or Middlebury College?

University of Vermont, at $19,343 a year after aid versus $31,483 — a gap of $12,140 a year, or $48,560 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 Middlebury College graduates earn more?

Middlebury College graduates report a median $76,310 ten years after entry, $13,838 more than the $62,472 at University 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 Middlebury College?

Middlebury College: its completers carry a median $13,857 in federal loans versus $20,951 at University of Vermont, a difference of $7,094. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

91% of students finish at Middlebury College, against 79% at University 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.

University of Vermont vs Middlebury College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Vermont or Middlebury College a better value?
Middlebury College. It clears its $125,932 net cost in about 4.5 years versus 5.5 years at University of Vermont, on median earnings of $76,310 vs $62,472 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Vermont or Middlebury College?
University of Vermont: $19,343/yr net price after aid versus $31,483/yr at Middlebury College — a difference of $12,140 a year, or about $48,560 over four years.
Do University of Vermont or Middlebury College graduates earn more?
Middlebury College graduates earn a median $76,310 ten years after entry, versus $62,472 at University of Vermont — a $13,838 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.