The Area: Set between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, Burlington (population 44,000) is one of New England’s most beloved small cities. Consistently ranked among the best college towns in the country, Burlington offers students a walkable mix of cafés, boutiques, restaurants, music venues, and gorgeous lake views flanked by mountains. In the warmer months, students fill nearby Church Street (a busy pedestrian marketplace), the waterfront bike path, and the nearby parks; in winter, skiing and snowboarding options are just 30–45 minutes away. Montreal is about an hour and a half away, and Boston is just over three hours by car. Burlington International Airport is about a 10-minute drive from campus with plenty of flights to major hubs. The vibe is quintessentially Vermont: friendly, eco-minded, creative, and community-driven.
The Campus/Students: UVM’s campus is perched on a hill overlooking Burlington and the lake, offering postcard views in every direction. With approximately 11,000 undergraduates (14,600 including grad students), UVM offers that unique mid-sized college experience that many students are looking for–all the benefits of a larger public university in a size that still feels friendly and accessible. The architecture on the picturesque campus is a mix of classic brick buildings and modern facilities (including a recent $104 million STEM complex).
The student body is known for being environmentally aware, socially engaged, and active. And though UVM draws students from all over the country (only about 20% are Vermonters), the school is largely still white and relatively well-off. It is working hard to improve its diversity, however.
Over 250 student organizations, an engaged student government, and strong traditions in the arts, outdoors, and athletics offer plenty to keep students engaged beyond the classroom. With no football team, it’s the highly ranked D1 hockey team’s games that are sold out all season; the men’s soccer team was national champs in 2024, and the ski team is unsurprisingly a national powerhouse. Residential life includes themed housing communities for wellness, sustainability, and arts-focused students. Greek life exists but is not a major part of campus, with only about 1% of men and women participating.
Academics: UVM offers a strong balance of liberal arts, pre-professional pathways, and signature strengths, especially in areas tied to health, environment, policy, and science. UVM emphasizes experiential learning, undergraduate research, internships (including with the state government in Montpelier), and hands-on, community-focused coursework.
The UVM Medical Center, adjacent to campus, gives students extraordinary access to shadowing, internship, and research opportunities in health fields. Across all majors, UVM’s Office of Undergraduate Research supports students in connecting with faculty, securing grants, and presenting research. Sustainability is woven into the university’s identity—UVM was the first school to ban bottled water sales campus-wide and remains a national leader in climate and environmental initiatives.
Support services include academic advising, tutoring, the Center for Health & Wellbeing, and robust career development resources. Retention and graduation rates are strong, reflecting the university’s student-centered approach.
Notable academic highlights include:
The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources – One of the nation’s leading programs in environmental science, ecology, sustainability, forestry, parks management, and wildlife biology. UVM’s location and campus culture make this a huge draw.
Nursing & Health Sciences – Highly respected and deeply connected to the UVM Medical Center (a major teaching hospital literally on campus). Nursing direct entry is competitive, and other strong pathways include medical laboratory science, exercise science, physical therapy (via graduate study), and public health.
The Grossman School of Business – Known for its emphasis on sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship, and analytics.
CAS (College of Arts & Sciences) – Offers strong programs in psychology, political science, global studies, biology, and the humanities, with flexible ways to explore majors.
- Honors College – A well-regarded, residential honors program that integrates research, writing, and small seminar-style classes.
- Engineering & Mathematical Sciences – Growing programs in biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, data science, and complex systems.
Cost: The 2025-26 estimated cost of attendance was $38,000 for Vermont residents and $66,000 for out-of-state students. However, UVM does offer some significant merit scholarships to non-residents. 88% of students without financial need receive merit awards; the average award is approximately $18,000.
With top programs in environmental studies, health sciences, business, and the liberal arts, UVM is an ideal fit for students who want to work hard in a laid-back environment with mountains and lake adventure steps from campus. Visit the University of Vermont’s website to see if it’s a good fit for you.