Educational Attainment
Vermont ranks among the top ten states for the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher, at 43.6%.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502VT).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Adults with bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 43.6 | 34.3 |
- •Vermont's bachelor's degree attainment rate ranks in the top ten nationally.
- •Attainment has been boosted by remote-work migration from more educated urban areas.
- •Burlington and Chittenden County have particularly high attainment levels.
Schools
Vermont has about 300 public schools serving roughly 82,000 students, with enrollment steadily declining due to demographic trends.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total public school enrollment | 82000 | 1000000 |
- •Vermont has consolidated many small rural school districts over the past decade.
- •The state spends among the most per pupil in the nation, around $24,000.
- •Enrollment has fallen roughly 7% over the past decade.
Universities
Vermont is home to respected higher education institutions including the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Norwich University, and Vermont State University.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Degree-granting postsecondary institutions | 20 | 3900 |
- •Norwich University, founded in 1819, is the oldest private military college in the US.
- •Middlebury College is renowned for its language immersion programs.
- •Vermont State University was formed in 2023 by merging several state colleges.
Graduation Rates
Vermont's public high school graduation rate stands at about 85%, slightly below the national average.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (%) | 85 | 87 |
- •Vermont's graduation rate is slightly below the national average despite high education spending.
- •Rural districts often face unique challenges in supporting at-risk students.
- •Alternative and vocational programs help some students complete their diplomas.
Student Enrollment
Total K-12 student enrollment in Vermont continues to decline, now around 82,000, one of the smallest state enrollments in the country.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total K-12 enrollment | 82000 | 1000000 |
- •Vermont has one of the smallest total K-12 enrollments among all US states.
- •Enrollment has declined nearly every year since the early 2000s.
- •Some rural schools now serve fewer than 100 students total.
Student-Teacher Ratios
Vermont has the lowest student-teacher ratio in the nation, at about 10.5 students per teacher, reflecting small school sizes and high per-pupil spending.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 10.5 | 15.4 |
- •Vermont's student-teacher ratio is the lowest of all 50 states.
- •Small, rural school districts contribute to low class sizes statewide.
- •High per-pupil spending, near $24,000, helps sustain smaller classes.