Vermont State University vs Bennington College: which has better ROI?
Vermont State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,848 in 37 years versus not at all at Bennington College, on median earnings of $50,331 vs $38,289 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Vermont State University | Bennington College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,212 | $30,947 |
| Total net cost | $72,848 | $123,788 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,331 | $38,289 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 37 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$33,428 | -$325,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Vermont State University or Bennington College?
Vermont State University, at $18,212 a year after aid versus $30,947 — a gap of $12,735 a year, or $50,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Vermont State University or Bennington College graduates earn more?
Vermont State University graduates report a median $50,331 ten years after entry, $12,042 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, Vermont State University or Bennington College?
Vermont State University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Bennington College, a difference of $11,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Bennington College, against 47% at Vermont State University. 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.