Vermont - The Green Mountain State

Vermont, the "Green Mountain State" is located in the New England region in the northeastern part of the United States. It is the smallest landlocked state in the US. The capital of the state is Montpelier which is also the least populated while Burlington is the largest city. This US state boasts the 2nd lowest crime rate in the country. Vermont's weather is very much desirable, which can be termed as humid continental. It has the essence of both sunny summers as well as snowy cold winters. Vermont is also quite well known for its spring season (which can often be unpredictably rainy, sunny, or snowy), and the alluring, colorful season of autumn.

Vermont used to be originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Abenaki, the Mohican, the Pennacook, the Massachusett, the Pocomtuc, and so on. It is the second least populated state in the US with an estimated population of around 644,000 according to the report of the United States Census Bureau. Some of the renowned colleges in Vermont are Champlain College, Bennington College, Norwich University, Middlebury College, Castleton University, etc. However, the state's most reputed education hub is the University of Vermont, a public research university in Burlington.

Major Cities in Vermont

Burlington

With a population of about 43,000, Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and was established as a city in 1864. The city is popularly called the "Queen City of Vermont", and the "Year-Round Vacationland" because of its beauty and the number of visitors it attracts. Major institutes of higher learning such as the University of Vermont and Champlain College are situated here. The University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM), which is Vermont's biggest medical center, is located here. Top tourist destinations in the city are the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Church Street Marketplace, Lake Champlain, Shelburne Museum, Robert Hull Fleming Museum of Art, and so on.

South Burlington

Established as a city in 1865, South Burlington is the second-largest city with a population of around 19,000. It is home to Vermont's largest airport, the Burlington International Airport. The city is also a major tourist destination with popular sites such as the Magic Hat Brewing Company, Rokeby Museum, Little River State Park, Clinton County Historical Museum, Mount Philo State Park, National Museum of the Morgan Horse, Cumberland Bay State Park, and so on.

Rutland

Situated in Rutland County, the city is the third-largest state in Vermont with a population of about 16,000. The city was named after John Manners, the third Duke of Rutland. The city is also commonly known as the "Marble City''. Popular tourist attractions include the Billings Farm and Museum, Lake Saint Catherine State Park, Wonderfeet Kids Museum, Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Camp Plymouth State Park, Chaffee Art Center, Rutland Downtown Historic District, and so on.

Barre

Popularly known as the "Granite Center of the World" because of its several granite deposits, the city of Barre is the fourth-biggest city in Vermont. It was named after a British soldier called Isaac Barr� and was initially known as "Wildersburgh." It was established as a city in 1895. Some of the best sites in this city are Vermont Granite Museum of Barre, Hope Cemetery, Boulder Beach State Park, Rock of Ages, Barre Opera House, Studio Place Arts, etc.

Economy/Job Market

The predominant industries in the state of Vermont have been Agriculture, Livestock Farming, Manufacturing, Mining, Tourism, and Healthcare Services.
With regards to agriculture, Vermont is also one of the leading producers of dairy products and maple syrup. Apples, maple products, sweet corn, and hay are major agricultural products.
Several measures have been taken by the government to reduce the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the state's economy. The progress is visible through the low unemployment rate in Vermont which is 3.0%, whereas the overall unemployment rate is about 5.2%.
The leading sectors currently boosting the economy of the state are education, health and government services, trade, transport, and manufacturing.
The leading products in the manufacturing sector are pharmaceuticals, electronic components, navigational or measuring instruments, coal, and petroleum.
The largest companies in Vermont (based on the number of employees hired) are UVM Medical Center Dermatology, Okemo Mountain Resort, Casella Waste Systems, Huber+Suhner, Faraday Holdings, Mack Group, and Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Vermont

The cost of living in Vermont is slightly lower than the national average. Transportation and housing costs are cheaper, whereas, healthcare, utilities, and groceries are costlier than the national average. The most expensive cities here are Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski, and Woodstock. The cheapest cities to live in are Orleans, Swanton, Enosburg Falls, Rutland, and Newport.

The educational costs are considerably more than the national average in both public and private institutes. For instance, the tuition fee for undergraduates in Middlebury College is about $51,000 which is double the national average. The tuition fee for undergraduate in-state students at the University of Vermont is about $20,000 and $46,000 for out-of-state students, which is also twice more than the national average.

List of Few Major Universities/Colleges

Even though Vermont is a small state, there are several institutions of higher learning situated here. The top universities/colleges in Vermont are:

Middlebury College This is one of the most eminent institutions in the state of Vermont and is situated in Middlebury. It is a private liberal arts institution and was founded on November 1, 1800. The college is well-known for its interdisciplinary approach, student diversity, and excellent teachers. With almost 3,000 students and over 300 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1. The college ranks #9 in the best liberal arts colleges nationally, in 2022, according to USNews. The tuition fee is around $51,000 for all undergraduate students.
University of Vermont Situated in Burlington, this is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in Vermont. Established in 1791, the university was initially a private institution. The university consists of roughly 16,000 students, over 1,000 faculty members, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The university is known for its student diversity and its equal importance of academic quality and extracurricular activities. Popular courses offered here are Environmental Science, Business, Psychology, and Economics. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is around $20,000 and $46,000 for out-of-state students.
Champlain College Located in the largest city of Burlington, Champlain College is a popular private institution in the state. It was established in 1878 and was originally founded as the Burlington Business School. The college is known to have an extensive curriculum designed to promote a multidimensional approach to education. With over 4,000 students, the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. Popular majors include Computer and Information Systems Security, Business, and Accounting. The tuition fee for all undergraduate students is about $40,000.
Castleton University Established in 1787, this public university is situated in Castleton. The university has approximately 4,000 students and over 80 teachers, with the student-to-faculty ratio being 12:1. Out of more than 75 academic programs, Nursing and Psychology are the most popular majors offered in this university. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is roughly $14,000 and around $32,000 for out-of-state students.

Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students

Vermont Incentive Grant: This is a grant program initiated by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to assist full-time students of Vermont. To be qualified for the program, the student must be a legal resident of the state of Vermont and pursue an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution on a full-time basis. The student should also demonstrate financial need and satisfactory academic performance. The award amount varies depending on the candidate's level of financial need, the availability of funds, and the cost of attendance of the specific institution. The award amount may range from $1,000 to about $13,000
Vermont Part-Time Grant: This is another scholarship program offered by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to provide assistance to part-time students of Vermont. To be eligible for this program, the student is required to be a permanent resident of Vermont, and pursue an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution on a part-time basis. The award amount varies depending on the candidate's level of financial need, the availability of funds, the number of credit hours covered per semester, and the cost of attendance of the specific institution. Students are required to submit the FAFSA along with the application form.
Vermont Advancement Grant: The Vermont Advancement Grant is initiated by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation to assist candidates who are not pursuing an academic degree. To be qualified, the student must be pursuing a course in vocational or technical training that helps to attain a job, and must not have graduated from high school. The award amount varies depending on the candidate's level of financial need, the availability of funds, the type of program, and the overall expenses of the entire course.
The Southeastern Vermont Audubon Environmental Scholarship: This is a need-based and merit-based scholarship program initiated by the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society. To be eligible for the program, the student must be a legal resident of Vermont (specifically residing in Windham or Windsor County) and pursue an undergraduate degree in the field of biology, marine biology, ornithology, environmental science, or wildlife management. The student is also required to attend an accredited institution on a full-time or part-time basis, secure and maintain a minimum score of 3.0 GPA, display economic need, and be actively involved in community service. Along with the scholarship application, the students are required to submit the FAFSA, official transcript, a general essay, and a letter of recommendation. The award amount is up to $1,000.

Tourism

Being the Green Mountain State, Vermont is covered with beautiful mountains, coniferous forests, and a myriad of wildflowers. It easily reminds one of the idyllic blissfulness of Switzerland. This is why Vermont is one of the most predominant tourist destinations in New England. Some of the best tourist attractions in this state are Stowe, Church Street Marketplace, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Lake Champlain, Mount Mansfield, Quechee Gorge, Shelburne Museum, Smugglers Notch State Park, Montshire Museum of Science, Rock of Ages Quarry, Brattleboro Farmers’ Market, and several others.

It is best to visit the state at the end of September to enjoy the brilliant colors of autumn, or during winters to thoroughly relish the beauty of the snow-capped mountains. Apple being the state fruit, Vermont's apple pies are an absolute joy that can bless one's taste buds. Apart from that, popular delicacies available in this state are Maple Sugar Tarts, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Lake Champlain Chocolates, and Vermont Cheddar.

Universities & Colleges in Vermont

University (city)	Total Students	UG (in) / UG (out)	G (in) / G (out)
Middlebury College (Middlebury)	2558	$50181 / $50181	$N/A / $N/A
University of Vermont (Burlington)	15698	$19863 / $45999	$15681 / $35545
Champlain College (Burlington)	4006	$39727 / $39727	$15681 / $15681
Castleton University (Castleton)	3418	$13590 / $31363	$12545 / $12545
Johnson State College (Johnson)	1514	$12545 / $25090	$13590 / $29272
Lyndon State College (Lyndonville)	1266	$12545 / $24045	$13590 / $29272
Southern Vermont College (Bennington)	475	$25090 / $25090	$N/A / $N/A
Marlboro College (Marlboro)	258	$29272 / $29272	$36590 / $36590
Vermont College of Fine Arts (Montpelier)	366	$N/A / $N/A	$26136 / $26136
New England Culinary Institute (Montpelier)	379	$N/A / $N/A	$N/A / $N/A
Norwich University (Northfield)	4880	$43908 / $43908	$20908 / $20908
Marlboro College Graduate & Professional Studies (Brattleboro)	90	$18818 / $18818	$22999 / $22999
Saint Michael's College (Colchester)	2367	$42863 / $42863	$13590 / $13590
SIT Graduate Institute (Brattleboro)	358	$N/A / $N/A	$35545 / $35545
Bennington College (Bennington)	801	$51227 / $51227	$20908 / $20908
College of St Joseph (Rutland)	327	$22999 / $22999	$14636 / $14636
Burlington College (Burlington)	152	$26136 / $26136	$18818 / $18818
Sterling College (Craftsbury Common)	117	$36590 / $36590	$N/A / $N/A
Goddard College (Plainfield)	512	$16727 / $16727	$18818 / $18818
Vermont Law School (South Royalton)	583	$N/A / $N/A	$43908 / $43908
Green Mountain College (Poultney)	864	$37636 / $37636	$16727 / $16727
Vermont Technical College (Randolph Center)	2119	$16727 / $30318	$15681 / $28227

*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees

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