Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Burlington, Vermont
60% Acceptance Rate
University of Vermont — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60%Acceptance Rate
3.75Avg GPA
1357Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$35,116Annual Cost
$62,472Grad Salary
12.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60%
Avg GPA
3.75
Avg SAT
1357
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1250–1420
ACT Middle 50%
29–32
Avg Net Price
$20,860
Need-Based Aid
12.8% receive Pell
University of Vermont, founded in 1791 in Burlington, combines the resources of a research university with the feel of a liberal arts college. Renowned for environmental studies, health sciences, and agriculture programs.
The 460-acre campus features the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, UVM Medical Center teaching facilities, and the historic UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Its location in Vermont's largest city offers vibrant cultural and outdoor recreation opportunities.
University of Vermont Acceptance Rate
University of Vermont takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 60% each year.
What UVM Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 60% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.30
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Vermont Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Vermont is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UVM GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UVM is 3.75. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.45 and 3.75? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.95–4.15.UVM GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.35 – 3.54
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.34
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional through Fall 2026 (policy set through that cycle specifically).
- In-state acceptance rate ~75% vs. out-of-state ~55%.
- Catamount Commitment covers full tuition/fees for dependent, Pell-eligible Vermont residents.
- ED deadline: Nov 1 (decision by Dec 1); RD deadline: Jan 15.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UVM
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Vermont's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Vermont (UVM) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UVM is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UVM Without SAT or ACT?
UVM considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Vermont Average SAT Score: 1357
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Vermont is 1357 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1357 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1420 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Vermont allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1250, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UVM. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 680 | 640 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1357 | 1250 | 1420 |
Below 1250, you're behind most admitted students; at 1420 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1350
Can I get into University of Vermont (UVM) with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of UVM's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Vermont (UVM) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UVM is 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
An average of 31 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 29 | 32 |
Can I get into University of Vermont with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UVM's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UVM.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UVM
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UVM is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Use the optional essay if you're out-of-state
UVM's supplemental essay is optional, but out-of-state applicants (55% admit rate vs. 75% in-state) get more value from it than Vermont residents do. Pick the identity or environment prompt - not the throwaway Ben & Jerry's one - if you want it to actually move the needle.
Show demonstrated interest deliberately
UVM's admissions counselors are assigned by geography and track attendance at info sessions and virtual tours as a factor in review. Have the student email their specific regional counselor and attend one live session - passive browsing of the website doesn't register as demonstrated interest.
Flag the Catamount Commitment for Pell-eligible Vermont residents
Dependent, Pell-eligible Vermont students get full tuition and fees covered through UVM's Catamount Commitment (federal, state, and UVM grants combined). This is a huge, underused lever for in-state families who assume a flagship is out of reach financially - surface it early in the counseling conversation.
Apply Early Decision only with real fit and financial certainty
ED admit rate runs meaningfully higher (72.6% vs. 65% RD) and ED students get first-priority Residential Learning Community placement, but it's binding - confirm the family can commit financially before recommending it.
Expert Insight:
UVM has been test-optional through Fall 2026, and some students interpret that as "don't bother" - but a strong score (1290+ SAT/30+ ACT range) still meaningfully strengthens a borderline file, especially out-of-state. Skipping scores by default isn't automatically the safer play.
UVM Profile
Full Name
University of Vermont (UVM)
City
Burlington
State
Vermont
ZIP Code
05405-0160
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a UVM Degree Worth It?
Whether UVM is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $74,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.79%.
How much does a degree from UVM Cost?
The sticker price is $35,116/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $20,860.
12.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 38.4% take federal loans at UVM. File your FAFSA early and list UVM as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UVM Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $62,472. That's about 54% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Vermont. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | 1309 | 30 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | 1308 | 30 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Vermont. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Vermont. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at UVM
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UVM Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Vermont run about $62,472 a year.
University of Vermont costs roughly $35,116 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
University of Vermont's Pell Grant rate of 12.8% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 60%, University of Vermont's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Vermont average a 3.75 GPA.
University of Vermont doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.45 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.35, University of Vermont becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Vermont — aim above 1357, ideally within the 1250–1420 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Vermont is November 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
The application fee is 55. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.