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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Vermont
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Vermont? Our ranking highlights 17 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College evaluated 6 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 17 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Vermont
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Community College Of Vermont to be the best-value Trade school in Vermont. Set in Montpelier, VT, Community College Of Vermont is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Typical Trade student debt is $12,125. Community College Of Vermont alumni report median earnings of $36,234 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Community College Of Vermont
Out of the 6 schools in Vermont in this year's value ranking, University Of Vermont landed the #3 spot. Located in Burlington, VT, University Of Vermont is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $22,607. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,472 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Vermont
Out of the 6 schools in Vermont in this year's value ranking, Vermont Technical College landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Randolph, VT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $50,331 ten years out. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Vermont Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Champlain College earned it the #5 place in Vermont. Located in Burlington, VT, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Graduates carry a median of $27,631 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,386 ten years after entry. Set against $27,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Champlain College profile
Norwich University landed the #6 spot for value in Vermont this year. Norwich University is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, VT. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,740. Graduates carry a median of $24,103 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,575. That is a strong return on a $24,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%. See the full Norwich University profile
Vermont State Colleges Office Of The Chancellor landed the #6 spot for value in Vermont this year. Read the full report on Vermont State Colleges Office Of The Chancellor
Bennington College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Get the full Bennington College report
Sterling College Vermont ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Sterling College Vermont profile
Saint Michaels College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Read the full report on Saint Michaels College
Vermont College Of Fine Arts came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. More on Vermont College Of Fine Arts
Middlebury College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Read the full report on Middlebury College
Goddard College
Goddard College landed the #12 spot for value in Vermont this year. Read more about Goddard College
Vermont Law School offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. See the full Vermont Law School profile
Advanced Welding Institute ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Advanced Welding Institute report
Obriens Aveda Institute placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in Vermont. Read the full report on Obriens Aveda Institute
Sit Graduate Institute came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Sit Graduate Institute
Landmark College
Landmark College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Landmark College report
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 6 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).