Vermont is small and rural, with an older population and a real need for nurses in community hospitals, home care and long-term care. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 3.
Imagine caring for patients in a small hospital where you know many of their families, then driving home past covered bridges and maple trees in autumn colour. Vermont nursing offers a close-knit kind of practice that bigger states rarely match.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Vermont that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Vermont nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Vermont | Burlington | Public | 81% | 114 | $79,635 | $19,514 |
| 2 | Norwich University | Northfield | Private nonprofit | 61% | 56 | $74,893 | $51,710 |
| 3 | Vermont State University | Randolph | Public | 41% | 89 | $80,943 | $12,390 |
Top Vermont nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Vermont
The University of Vermont in Burlington is the state’s public flagship university. Its nursing programme, based in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, works alongside the University of Vermont Medical Center, the state’s academic medical centre.
- Graduation rate: 81%, number 1 in Vermont on our list
- Programme size: about 114 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, the largest BSN programme in Vermont
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $79,635 one year after graduating
- Cost: $19,514 in-state tuition ($47,554 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 65%
2. Norwich University
Norwich University in Northfield is a private university with a long military tradition. Its nursing programme combines clinical preparation with a structured, leadership-focused environment, and suits both civilian and military-minded students.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 2 in Vermont on our list
- Programme size: about 56 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $74,893 one year after graduating
- Cost: $51,710 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 74%
3. Vermont State University
Vermont State University was formed in 2023 by bringing together several of the state’s public colleges. It offers nursing education at multiple locations, which helps students across rural Vermont train closer to home.
- Graduation rate: 41%, number 3 in Vermont on our list
- Programme size: about 89 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $80,943 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,390 in-state tuition ($23,094 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 82%
Studying nursing in Vermont: what to know
Vermont is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Nurses are licensed by the Vermont Board of Nursing through the Office of Professional Regulation. With only a few BSN programmes in the state, many Vermont students also consider associate degree routes or programmes in neighbouring states, and rural hospitals often offer support for nurses who want to complete an RN-to-BSN while working.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Vermont
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation). Vermont is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Vermont offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 3 colleges in Vermont produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 259 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Vermont nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Vermont has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 81%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Vermont?
University of Vermont produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 114 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Vermont?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $74,893 to $80,943, with a typical (median) figure of about $79,635. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Vermont?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $12,390 to $19,514 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation) website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Vermont Board of Nursing (Office of Professional Regulation), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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