Vermont State University
Randolph, Vermont · Public · 81.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
Vermont State University scores 55 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. Formed through the 2023 consolidation of Vermont State Colleges, VTSU enrolls 3,590 undergraduates across multiple Vermont campuses. The 47.2% completion rate is the primary drag -- fewer than half of students who enroll complete a degree. Despite this, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.352 is unusually low (score 91), reflecting Vermont's $15,000 median debt -- the lowest in this dataset -- against $42,600 median 6-year earnings. The 85.1% repayment rate suggests completers manage debt well. At $11,952 in-state tuition and $18,212 net price, VTSU is affordable, but the payback period of 13.9 years stems from the combination of moderate earnings and the earnings drag from non-completers in the Scorecard metric. Registered Nursing (90 graduates, $75,160 year-one, C+ grade) leads outcomes but carries $35,125 median debt -- high for this institution. Teacher Education (30 graduates, $42,290 year-one), Kinesiology (50 graduates, $37,493 year-one), and Business (65 graduates, $37,469 year-one) form the core program mix with limited ROI grade data available.
Vermont State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,952/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,296/yr |
| Average net price | $18,212/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $72,848 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,331 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 47.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,590 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Vermont State University is $11,952/year ($22,296/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,212/year, or roughly $72,848 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,645/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,007/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $50,331 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.35 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,645 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,998 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,279 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,668 |
| $110,001+ | $24,007 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $14,645 per year -- $58,580 over four years. The median debt of $15,000 suggests strong grant coverage for lower-income students. Nursing completers earning $75,160 year-one recover the total four-year investment in roughly nine months. For non-nursing programs earning $37,000-$42,000 year-one, payback from $58,580 extends to two-plus years. The 47.2% completion rate is the primary risk -- non-completion at any investment level is financially damaging.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $16,279 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,668 per year. At these price levels, VTSU is affordable by New England standards. The institution-wide 13.9-year payback obscures the reality that completers in nursing and technical programs have much shorter payback periods. Middle-income families should focus on whether their student's program delivers outcomes that justify the cost relative to UVM or other New England public options.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $24,007 per year -- $96,028 over four years. At this price, VTSU competes with UVM and New Hampshire public options. For nursing and technology programs with B and B+ outcomes, VTSU can be a defensible choice. For programs without ROI grade data or with modest earnings trajectories, higher-income families should consider whether a $96,000 investment in a 47.2%-completion institution is appropriate.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Vermont State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $77,267 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,438 | - |
| Psychology | $50,782 | - |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $51,701 | - |
| Teacher Education | $42,859 | - |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $42,671 | - |
| Biology | $39,471 | - |
| Accounting | $61,162 | - |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | $40,273 | - |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,465 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (90 graduates) earns $75,160 at year one and $77,267 at year four with $35,125 median debt and a 0.467 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C+). The C+ reflects nursing debt that is high relative to Vermont's labor market wages -- $35,125 is nearly double the institutional median debt. Vermont's rural healthcare market limits nursing wages below major metro benchmarks. Nursing completers are financially stable, but debt management requires planning.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (30 graduates) earns $42,290 at year one and $42,859 at year four -- essentially flat earnings over four years, which is typical for Vermont public school teachers on salary schedules. No debt or ROI data is available. Vermont teacher salaries are modest; students entering education at VTSU's price point face a manageable but slow payback trajectory.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (65 graduates) earns $37,469 at year one and $51,438 at year four with no debt data reported. The earnings trajectory is below average for a four-year business degree nationally. Vermont's small business economy limits the high-compensation employment pathways that business programs at larger universities can access. Students targeting Vermont-based careers will find the program functional; students planning to leave Vermont may find stronger options at New England public universities.
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
Electromechanical Technologies (5 graduates) earns $66,749 at year one and $84,601 at year four with $25,500 median debt and a 0.382 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). This program -- a legacy Vermont Technical College offering -- has strong outcomes for a technology credential at a public university. The small graduate volume limits statistical weight, but the outcome profile reflects the program's technical specificity and employer demand for skilled technicians.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.7% |
| Enrollment | 3,590 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,714 |
VTSU admits 81.7% of applicants with no standardized test mid-range data reported. Admission is effectively open for most qualified applicants. The enrollment decision should focus on program availability across campuses, completion support resources, and how the $18,212 average net price compares to the specific financial aid award received. Students should inquire about campus-specific completion rates, as the institutional 47.2% may mask variation across the multi-campus system.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
VTSU's Scorecard peers include University of Vermont, Eastern Connecticut State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, CUNY Medgar Evers, and University of Massachusetts Global. UVM (higher cost, higher outcomes) is the natural Vermont comparison -- UVM's completion rates and earnings significantly exceed VTSU's, at a higher price. CUNY Medgar Evers is a very different institutional type. Among New England public comprehensives, VTSU occupies the affordable access tier -- lower cost than UVM and Keene State, with the corresponding outcome profile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont State University (this school) | 55 | $18,212 | $50,331 |
| University of Vermont | 78 | $19,343 | $62,472 |
| CUNY Medgar Evers College | 56 | $5,718 | $46,498 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | 55 | $21,067 | $56,469 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 52 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
Who Thrives Here
VTSU is Vermont's public university system, formed from several legacy institutions including Vermont Technical College, Castleton University, and Northern Vermont University. The multi-campus model means students experience different campus cultures depending on location. The 81.7% admission rate and no test score data reflect a broadly accessible institution. The 34.1% Pell rate is moderate. Students seeking Vermont-based nursing, technology, or education programs in a low-cost environment will find VTSU an accessible option. The completion crisis -- 47.2% finish -- is the central concern prospective students must address before enrolling.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Vermont State University is mixed. At $18,212 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $50,331 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13.9 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a 47.2% graduation rate and a long payback period.
Median debt of $15,000 is very manageable against $50,331 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.