Admit rate has ranged 60%–71% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Vermont (UVM) blends the rigor of a public research university with the crunchy, outdoorsy ethos of its Burlington home. Known for strong programs in environmental studies, agriculture, and health sciences, UVM attracts students who want academic heft alongside easy access to skiing, hiking, and a progressive college town vibe. With a 65% acceptance rate and a four-year graduation rate that outpaces most public universities, it’s a place where granola idealism meets practical outcomes.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
11,743
In-state tuition
$19,058
Out-of-state tuition
$45,502
Mascot
Rally the Catamount
Location
Burlington, VT
Acceptance Rate
65%
Most Popular Major
Psychology
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
66.7%
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,951
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,472
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.2×
Median debt at graduation
$20,951
Graduation rate
79%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
81%
Pell (lower-income) share
31%
First-generation share
12%
Endowment / student
$76,326
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$72,325
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$61,875
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$57,770
Computer Science$56,641
Mechanical Engineering$55,770
Civil Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
13
Per 1,000 students
1.11
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
87
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
18°F
Annual rain
46.2"
Annual snow
52.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
664
Scholarly works
64,601
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Vermont?
University of Vermont's acceptance rate is approximately 65% (Burlington, VT), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Vermont?
Admitted students at University of Vermont typically score 1290–1440 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Vermont cost?
At University of Vermont, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,343 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Vermont?
University of Vermont enrolls approximately 11,743 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Vermont located?
University of Vermont is located in Burlington, VT.
Admissions
UVM is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 65% (though it dipped to 59% in a recent record-breaking application year). The university practices selective admission for out-of-state students and certain programs, while Vermont residents face a more open policy. Admitted students typically boast SAT scores between 1300–1420, and the Class of 2027 set a 30-year record for academic achievement. Notably, only 18% of the class hails from Vermont, with over 50% coming from outside New England—reflecting UVM’s broad appeal beyond its home state. Waitlists are common (27% of applicants in one year), but few are ultimately admitted.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$49,827
Mathematics$48,849
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering$48,041
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
UVM offers over 100 majors, with particular strengths in environmental sciences, engineering, and agriculture—no surprise given its roots in Vermont’s rural landscape. The College of Arts and Sciences encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing students to cobble together double majors, individually designed majors, or major/minor combos. Standout programs include:
Ecology and agriculture (praised by students for hands-on fieldwork)
Life sciences (a pipeline for pre-med students)
Social sciences, including psychology (the most popular major)
Small class sizes are common, with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, and the Princeton Review highlights UVM’s 'wide variety of courses that are both challenging and engaging.'
Burlington’s outdoor recreation and progressive culture define UVM’s vibe. Students describe the campus as 'welcoming' and 'chill,' with a robust social scene that doesn’t rely on Greek life (only 4% of students join fraternities/sororities). Highlights include:
Proximity to skiing, hiking, and Lake Champlain (kayaking is a rite of passage)
Thriving arts and music scene, fueled by Burlington’s indie spirit
Farm-to-table dining halls, a nod to Vermont’s agricultural roots
Reddit threads praise the lack of cutthroat competition: 'Most people on campus are super nice.' The university actively fosters inclusivity, with programming focused on 'student leadership development and community involvement.'
UVM punches above its weight in graduation rates: 66.7% of students finish in four years—a figure that places it among the top public universities nationally. The overall graduation rate climbs to 76-79%, with alumni typically entering fields like healthcare, education, and environmental sciences. Median debt at graduation is $20,951, below the national average, and the university tracks outcomes rigorously via post-grad surveys. One notable stat: UVM’s four-year graduation rate has risen steadily, from 62.4% to 66.7% in recent years, reflecting improved student support.
For out-of-state students, UVM’s sticker price is steep, but the average net cost—after aid—drops to $19,386. The university meets 81% of demonstrated financial need, though Vermont residents benefit from lower tuition. Key details:
Merit scholarships are available, with awards based on academic achievement
The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate actual costs (hint: use it)
UVM’s aid packages lean heavily on grants and scholarships, not just loans
One caveat: Costs can creep up for students who stay beyond four years (the average time to degree is 4.1 years).
UVM is the crunchy, outdoorsy cousin of flagship publics—think Berkeley with flannel and maple syrup. Its location in Burlington, a college town with breweries, activist energy, and lakefront sunsets, is unbeatable for students who want both rigorous academics and a backdrop of mountains and organic farms. The university’s focus on sustainability (see: the famed Rubenstein School of Environment) and hands-on learning sets it apart, as does its quirky mascot (Rally the Catamount). Here, you can study climate science by morning and hit the slopes by afternoon—all while joining a community that’s as likely to debate soil health as it is to rally for social justice.
University of Vermont logo · sourceAbout UVM | The University of Vermont | University of... · source6 Things to do When Visiting UVM for the Full College Experience - UVM Professional and Continuing Education · sourceThe University of Vermont - Full Episode | The College Tour · source
