Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Vermont vs Vermont State University
Compare average net price ($13,696 at Community College of Vermont; $18,212 at Vermont State University), ROI score (6.61 vs 6.91), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,234 vs $50,331), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Vermont; 81.7% at Vermont State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Community College of Vermont | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.61 | 6.91 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $13,696 ✓ | $18,212 |
| 4-year avg net price | $54,784 ✓ | $72,848 |
| In-state tuition | $6,920 | $11,952 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,640 | $22,296 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,234 | $50,331 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 81.7% |
| Graduation rate | 19.6% | 47.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 49% | 67.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,491 ✓ | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,841 | 3,590 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Community College of Vermont | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,373 ✓ | $14,645 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,719 ✓ | $12,998 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,430 ✓ | $16,279 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,658 ✓ | $20,668 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,373 ✓ | $24,007 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Community College of Vermont | Vermont State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18.7% | 3.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 12.5% | 2.4% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 10.2% | 0.5% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 9.4% | 0.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5.4% | 1.6% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 5.6% | 1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.1% | 4.4% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 4.7% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Vermont reports the lower average net price by $4,516 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,064 difference over four years ($54,784 vs $72,848).
Vermont State University reports $14,097 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,331 vs $36,234). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 49% at Community College of Vermont and 67.8% at Vermont State University. Median federal debt among completers is $10,491 vs $15,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Community College of Vermont vs Vermont State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Vermont is cheaper — average net price $13,696 per year vs $18,212 at Vermont State University. The annual difference of $4,516 adds up to about $18,064 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Vermont State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,331 vs $36,234 at Community College of Vermont. The gap in the federal data is $14,097. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.

