Public Universities and Colleges in Vermont: Systems, Flagships and How Admission Works
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Apr 22, 2026 • US States & Cities
Vermont has three public higher education players: the University of Vermont as the flagship research university, Vermont State University as a five campus regional system, and the Community College of Vermont for two year and low cost programs.
🎓 UVM (Burlington): flagship, about 12,300 undergrads, test optional admission
UVM 2026-27 in-state tuition: $8,469 a semester before fees
Vermont State University merged Castleton, Northern Vermont and Vermont Technical College into one accredited university in July 2023
VTSU in-state tuition starts at $11,088 a year for standard programs
CCV: open admission, lowest per-credit cost in the state at $290 a credit in-state
Vermont's public higher education system
Vermont funds three public options for students: the University of Vermont (UVM), Vermont State University (VTSU), and the Community College of Vermont (CCV). Each plays a different role. UVM is the state's flagship research university. VTSU is a five campus regional university built from a 2023 merger. CCV covers two year and certificate programs statewide with no residential campus.
University of Vermont: the flagship
UVM sits in Burlington and enrolls about 12,300 undergraduates, according to NCES College Navigator . It offers more than 100 bachelor's degrees plus graduate and medical programs. UVM runs a doctoral research profile, so class sizes and research access look different from the state colleges.
Admission at UVM
UVM admission is test optional. You self-report SAT or ACT scores on your application, then submit official scores only if you are admitted and enroll. The middle 50% of admitted students carries a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale, SAT scores of 670-740 on reading and writing and 650-740 on math, or an ACT composite of 31-34, per UVM admissions . Your transcript needs four years of English, three years of math, two years of foreign language, three years of lab science, and three years of social science.
Apply through the Common App or the Coalition App. Early Action and Early Decision I close November 1, with the $55 application fee waived for that round. Early Decision II and Regular Decision close January 15. Vermont residents applying Early Action or Early Decision I also get the fee waived.
What UVM costs
UVM tuition for 2026-27 runs $8,469 a semester for Vermont residents and $23,327.50 for out-of-state students, before the $1,529 comprehensive fee, per UVM Student Financial Services . Average food and housing adds about $7,342 a semester on top.
Vermont State University: one university, five campuses
Vermont State University formed from the merger of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College, gaining regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education effective July 1, 2023, according to Vermont State University . It runs campuses in Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston, plus additional learning sites and online programs, all under one shared accreditation and degree structure.
VTSU enrolls about 4,100 undergraduates statewide. Tuition varies by program track: standard bachelor's programs cost $11,088 a year in-state ($462 a credit), engineering and technology programs cost $15,624, nursing and respiratory therapy $16,368, and dental and radiologic programs $19,056, per Vermont State University tuition and fees . Admission standards vary by campus and program and generally sit below UVM's test and GPA range.
Community College of Vermont: the low-cost, open-access option
CCV has no single campus. It runs academic centers across the state and online, offering associate degrees and certificates to about 5,000 students, per NCES data. Admission stays open, so CCV does not screen applicants by GPA or test scores.
CCV charges $290 a credit for Vermont residents and $399 for out-of-state students, the lowest public rate in the state, according to CCV's tuition and fees page . Many students use CCV to knock out general education credits before transferring to UVM or VTSU, while others complete a two year credential and stop there. Vermont residents whose family income is $100,000 or less on the FAFSA can attend CCV tuition free through the 802 Opportunity Grant.
How admission steps differ
UVM and VTSU both use a standard application, transcript, and (optional) test score review, with UVM weighing GPA and course rigor more heavily. CCV skips that review entirely. You fill out an application, pick a term, and register for courses once you meet any program-specific prerequisites, such as a placement check for math-heavy majors.
All three schools accept transfer credit from each other and from most regionally accredited colleges. If you start at CCV, ask your advisor to map your courses against the specific bachelor's program you want at UVM or VTSU before you register, so every credit counts toward the degree.
Which campus fits which student
| If you want | Consider |
|---|---|
| A research university with graduate and medical programs | UVM |
| A smaller campus with a specific career major, like nursing or criminal justice | VTSU |
| The lowest cost path to a degree, or a low-stakes way to try college first | CCV, then transfer |
| Open admission with no test scores or GPA minimum | CCV |
Ask each admissions office about transfer agreements if you plan to start at CCV and move to UVM or VTSU later. Vermont's public schools coordinate credit transfer, so an associate degree from CCV carries directly into a bachelor's program at either four year school.
Base in-state tuition, side by side
| School | Lowest in-state tuition |
|---|---|
| CCV | $290 a credit |
| Vermont State University | $11,088 a year (standard programs) |
| UVM | $16,938 a year (tuition only, before fees) |
Sticker price is only the starting point. The Vermont Grant and 802 Opportunity Grant can reduce or erase tuition at any of these schools depending on your family income, so check your aid eligibility before you rule out a school on cost alone.