Attending an Online College in Vermont

Q: Which Vermont Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?

Transferring credits can significantly reduce the amount you pay to attend college in Vermont. Many students first attend a two-year community college or online school before transferring to a four-year university to complete their degrees. Some schools accept transfer credits more readily than others, so it’s always a good idea to research transfer policies before enrolling. Champlain College and Norwich University, for example, boast some of the most liberal transfer credit policies in the state. Both schools accept as many as 90 credits toward a bachelor’s.

Q: Which Online Colleges Will Accept the FAFSA in Vermont?

Online schools in Vermont accept federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most make no distinction between online or on-campus education when it comes to qualifying for aid. Filling out the FAFSA should be your first step when searching for college funding help. It gives you an idea of how much aid you qualify for, and most colleges require it as part of the application process.

Updated on February 18, 2026

Learn more about attending online colleges in Vermont, either as a resident or a nonresident.

Many of Vermont’s most promising careers over the next decade will require at least a bachelor’s degree, according to state employment projections. Careers with the highest projected growth from 2022-2032 and requiring a bachelor’s degree include K-12 teachers, registered nurses, and accountants and auditors.

Online colleges in Vermont offer a flexible route to more advanced degrees and more rewarding work. Residents and nonresidents can pursue educational opportunities at some of the state’s most prominent universities without leaving home.

Why Choose Vermont for Online Higher Education?

Online colleges are appealing in rural states like Vermont, where time and distance once limited educational opportunities. People working full time and single parents can advance their careers while continuing to work. Underserved populations can change jobs to keep up with the times. About 38% of Vermont students studied exclusively online in the fall of 2024, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Cost of Attending an Online College in Vermont

Vermont charges more for tuition than the national average. For example, in-state tuition at four-year public institutions is $17,600, almost twice the national average of $9,750. Online programs are often cheaper than their on-campus counterparts. Plus, distance students don’t have to commute, pay for parking, or live on campus.

Many schools charge out-of-state students and residents the same rate for online programs. Sometimes online colleges in Vermont charge a single flat rate to all distance learners, other times they allow nonresidents to pay in-state rates.

In-State Tuition and Fees

$17,600 – public, four-year institution
$6,920 – public, two-year institution

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

$41,900 – public, four-year institution
$13,640 – public, two-year institution

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Considering a Vermont School as an Out-of-State Student

More than 2,000 nonresident undergraduates attend online universities in Vermont. Many enjoy significant cost savings through reciprocity agreements with other states under the New England Board of Higher Education’s good neighbor policy. Vermont also participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement program, a consortium of states that offers reciprocity among members. Membership in SARA now extends to all U.S. states except for California. SARA simplifies problems once associated with internet-based education, making it easy to attend one of Vermont’s top online colleges.

Tuition Discounts

Students from the other New England states attending an online college in Vermont often receive discounted tuition. Vermont maintains membership in the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break program. This interstate reciprocity agreement allows students from Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to attend a public school in a neighboring state if none of the public universities in their home state offer the program they desire. The average full-time student saves $8,500 a year with the program. Some online colleges in Vermont, such as Northern Vermont University, offer in-state tuition to out-of-state residents, resulting in even greater savings.

State Authorizations for Online Learning

Vermont online colleges also benefit from the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement program (SARA). SARA has gone a long way toward simplifying and standardizing the way states and colleges govern attendance at online schools. In the past, nonresident students found they could not enroll in many programs because of disagreements between states and universities. Today, every state except California participates in SARA, making it much easier for students to attend any program that interests them, no matter the school’s location.Check with an admissions or financial officer.

Tuition rates are ultimately program and institution-based. Ask someone from a prospective program about the rates that apply to you specifically as a potential member of that program.

FAQ About Vermont’s Online Schools

Below, we’ve tried to answer some of the common questions about online colleges in Vermont. These resources should help you in your search.

Do Online Credits Cost More or Less in Vermont?

Attending an online college in Vermont can save you money on tuition. Some schools make no distinction between distance students and their on-campus counterparts. At the University of Vermont, for example, the per-credit difference is slight. At Champlain College, you can save about 83% by taking classes through the school’s online campus. At some of the state’s other public schools, like Northern Vermont University, online credits and on-campus credits are comparable for residents, but online credits are substantially cheaper for nonresident students. Depending upon the program, Norwich University can be cheaper when attending online.

Which Vermont Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?

Which Online Colleges Will Accept the FAFSA in Vermont?

Vermont Scholarships and Grants

The FAFSA informs you of the federal aid you qualify for, like Pell Grants. However, those represent just the beginning of the grant possibilities. Charities, community organizations, corporations, and towns offer scholarships specifically for Vermont students. Here are a few to start with:

Alannas Scholarship

Designed to help first-generation Vermonters attend college, the Alannas Scholarship goes to applicants with financial need or hardships to overcome and attend school. They judge candidates based on academic ability and work ethic. Students must also be part of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation talent search or the state’s GEAR UP program.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

Sister Elizabeth Candon Scholarship

Sponsored by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, these grants honor the legacy of Sister Elizabeth Candon, who strove to help women attend college. They are awarded to single mothers who demonstrate financial need and academic promise. Recipients may renew up to three years.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000

Alfred T. Granger Student Art Fund Scholarship

Administered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the Granger scholarships help students pursue degrees in art, architecture, mechanical drawing, and design. They are awarded according to need, academic ability, and artistic talent.

Scholarship Amount: $2,500 for undergraduates; $5,000 for graduate students

Nichols Family Scholarship

These funds go to residents who have faced adversity or overcome significant obstacles to attend college. Candidates must hold at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Judges base their decisions on essays, recommendations, academic transcripts, and finances.

Scholarship Amount: $6,250

Nordic Educational Trust Scholarship

Founded to help recipients pursue two-year degrees in technical fields, these grants assess students’ academic potential rather than past transcripts. These are awarded to applicants with bright futures and financial need. Recipients can renew up to two years.

Scholarship Amount: Up to $10,000