Landmark College

Landmark College in Putney, Vermont occupies a unique niche in American higher education: it is designed specifically for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and other learning disabilities. That specialized mission is central to interpreting the institution's ROI data, which on standard metrics looks poor. The overall score of 13 (Poor Value) reflects a $66,540 annual tuition, a net price of $56,954, and median earnings of $22,500 six years after enrollment — below the national average — with a payback period that cannot be calculated from the data. The four-year estimated cost of $227,816 is among the highest in the dataset. The completion rate of 43% is low, though for a population that has historically faced higher attrition in traditional higher education, it must be contextualized. Median debt of $17,500 is modest relative to the sticker price, suggesting significant institutional or family support. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.778 means graduates carry debt near 78% of annual income, which is stressful. For families weighing Landmark, the decision framework differs fundamentally from a typical ROI comparison: the question is whether the specialized support Landmark provides enables a student to complete a degree at all — an outcome that carries lifetime earnings value not captured at six years. The Scorecard numbers honestly reflect financial pressure, but do not capture the value of an accessible pathway for students who might otherwise not complete college.

Landmark College is the right fit for students with documented learning differences — particularly dyslexia, ADHD, and autism — who need intensive academic support unavailable at mainstream institutions. The 455-student campus creates an intimate environment with specialized faculty and advising. Families should understand the premium price reflects a specialized service model, not a traditional liberal arts education. Landmark is not appropriate for students seeking standard college ROI benchmarks; it is appropriate for students who need its specific support infrastructure to access higher education.