Online and On-Campus Colleges in VERMONT

The University of Vermont is the largest of Vermont's colleges, reporting a total enrollment of more than 12,000 students. Founded in 1791, this longstanding institution is known as a "Public Ivy" and offers all levels of university study, from bachelor's degrees to doctoral and professional programs.

Nearly 180 total study plans are available at UVM, including around 100 bachelor's degree and 50 graduate degree programs. Students here tend to be involved in experiential learning, as well -- better than 90 percent of seniors report being engaged in internships, research projects or other avenues through which to apply their knowledge.

The city of Burlington has a lot to offer UVM students during their time away from school. The music and food scenes in the city are nationally acclaimed, and outdoor recreation both on land and on water is never far away.

Champlain College is located right on Lake Champlain in Burlington and takes a career-driven approach to higher education. Over 80 areas of study are available at this private institution, where a modestly sized student body of around 2,200 undergraduates pursue bachelor's degrees online and on campus.

In fact, Champlain is one of the top online colleges in Vermont, offering more than 20 fully online degree programs and nearly 40 certificate plans for undergraduates and graduate students. Thanks to a delivery method that employs 7- and 8-week online courses, distance education programs here allow many students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace.

Classes at Champlain average 16 students and are capped at 30. Among the class of 2017, a vast majority -- 94 percent -- had successfully found career placement within six months of graduation.

Originally founded in 1819, Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the country. More than 2,400 cadets and civilians attend classes on the Northfield campus, and over 1,600 students take advantage of Norwich's online courses.

Norwich is another of the best colleges and universities in Vermont for online degrees, particularly at the graduate level. Norwich University offers 18-month online master's programs in subjects like information security, civil engineering, international relations and military history. Prospective undergraduate students who have between 30 and 60 prior college credits can enroll in online bachelor's degree completion programs.

The town of Northfield, located in Washington County in mid-northern Vermont, serves as a generally laid-back and peaceful setting. The total population here is around 6,000 residents, so you should find plenty of quiet time when you need to study.

This member of the Vermont State Colleges system has a rare claim to fame. It was founded in 1787, making it not only the oldest institution among Vermont universities but also one of the 20 longest-standing collegiate schools in the country.

The learning environment at Castleton University is fairly intimate, featuring a student-faculty ratio of 14:1 and an average class size of 17. Castleton's degree catalog leans heavily toward bachelor's degree programs -- approximately 90 percent of students are full-time undergraduates -- but master's degrees in psychology, education, accounting and more are also available.

Castleton also puts considerable energy into sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of the environment. Two buildings on campus have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, and the institution uses micro-turbines to generate a portion of its electricity through wind power.

Vermont Technical College, commonly known as Vermont Tech, is one of the top schools in Vermont for career-minded learners. Academic programs here focus on fields such as nursing, agriculture, engineering and computer technology, and 100 percent of degree plans include hands-on, applied learning sections to help bring context to your classroom lessons.

Vermont Tech is another member of the Vermont State Colleges system and a multi-site institution with 11 total locations. Residential campuses can be found in Randolph Center and Williston, and an additional nine distance sites are spread out to offer degree programs to students in the four corners of the state.

The student to teacher ratio at Vermont Tech is 12:1, providing ample time for professors to work individually with students who need it. In addition to bachelor's degrees, the school awards associate degrees and certificates.

As one of the most highly regarded liberal arts colleges in the nation, Middlebury College has a long legacy of quality education. It was founded in 1800 and is now known for rigorous academics, a commitment to sustainability and a focus on the arts.

The numbers show that Middlebury is one of the best schools in Vermont for students who like a close-knit campus setting. The roughly 3,250 students on campus in Middlebury enjoy a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, which is one of the lowest in the state and 50 percent better than the average of 16:1 calculated for national four-year universities.

Degree programs here simultaneously emphasize breadth and depth of study, guiding students through a wide-reaching introduction to a variety of disciplines while providing a deep dive into their chosen major. Interdisciplinary programs are also available.

Goddard College takes a unique approach to higher education. The low-residency model employed here consists of an eight-day session on campus at the beginning of each semester, during which students design their academic plan for the semester, and then 16 weeks of independent study from home in close collaboration with advisors and mentors.

The degree catalog at Goddard isn't as expansive as those at other Vermont colleges, but it does feature a selection of programs and concentrations that may be uncommon at many other schools. For example, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in clinical mental health counseling features available concentrations in sexual orientation and expressive arts therapy.

Goddard is also one of the smallest accredited schools in Vermont. Total enrollment here topped out at around 500 students in 2017, with around 200 reported as seeking bachelor's degrees.