The Top Nursing Schools in Vermont

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Updated November 22, 2022

This guide can help you find the right nursing school in Vermont for your career goals. Learn about the top schools, how to earn a license, and salary expectations.
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Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

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Nursing schools in Vermont boast above-average National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates, and Vermont requires public disclosure of nurse-staffing ratios. This guide can help you select the right nursing school in Vermont for your career goals, explains how to earn your license, and describes salary and job growth prospects.

Keep reading to find the best nursing program in Vermont for you.

The Best Nursing Schools in Vermont

As a smaller state, Vermont does not have many nursing schools, but you can still take into account your preferences, background, and goals when choosing a program. Associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs include easier admission requirements, and students typically graduate in two years. Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees take four years but offer more career potential, especially for further education.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Vermont, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

#1 The Top Nursing Schools in Vermont

University of Vermont

  • Burlington, VT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

The University of Vermont, located in Burlington, offers a 124-credit bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), which ranks as one of the best accredited nursing programs in Vermont. A key focus is providing nursing services for clients from diverse populations and those with special needs.

Course completion requires 594 hours of supervised clinical instruction. Clinical practicums begin in the sophomore year, continuing throughout the program. During the junior year, students take part in clinical rotations in acute care settings, such as hospitals. During the senior year, students may select a specialty, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or other areas of interest, for a 126-hour clinical practicum. 

  • Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
  • Campus: Burlington, VT
  • Type: Public 
  • Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Tuition: $683 per credit hour for residents; $1,720 per credit for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: Official high school transcript (including one year of biology and chemistry and four years of math, such as trigonometry and pre-calculus) official ACT and SAT scores
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes 
  • School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95% first-time pass rate
  • Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,875 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$16,392
Out-of-state
$41,280
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$12,294
Out-of-state
$30,960
Retention Rate
87%
Acceptance Rate
67%
Students Enrolled
13,548
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
15% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#2 The Top Nursing Schools in Vermont

Castleton University

  • Castleton, VT
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Castleton University, a public institution in Castleton, Vermont, offers a bachelor of science (BSN) in nursing program designed as either a transition program or as a four-year undergraduate program.

Students gain admission based on the satisfactory completion of prerequisites. A grade of "B-" or higher is required for transfer nursing courses. Students with over 30 transfer credits can complete the BSN track in three years. The pre-licensure track allows students to complete the requirements for RN licensure before completing the BSN-level requirements.

  • Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
  • Campus: Castleton, VT
  • Type: Public 
  • Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Tuition: $493 per credit for residents; $1,200 per credit for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: High school transcript, a minimum 3.0 GPA and a "B-" or higher in science and math, SAT minimum score of 500 and 21 ACT minimum score
  • Minimum Time Commitment: Four years (for students with less than 30 transfer credits)
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes
  • School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.3% first-time pass rate
  • Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $63,855 for bachelor's graduates, and $58,221 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$11,304
Out-of-state
$27,984
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$11,574
Out-of-state
$11,574
Retention Rate
66%
Acceptance Rate
84%
Students Enrolled
2,399
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
11% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#3 The Top Nursing Schools in Vermont

Vermont Technical College

  • Randolph, VT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Vermont Technical College, in Randolph, offers an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program that qualifies students for RN licensure. 

The school hosts one of the best nursing programs in Vermont to offer a career ladder progression opportunity, allowing students to gain credentials along the way. The 1+1+2 format includes three completion points: practical nursing, associate degree in nursing leading to RN licensure, and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

Students may choose to finish their education at any of the three completion points or continue to an advanced degree. Students may re-enter the program at a later date. 

  • Program: Associate degree in nursing
  • Campus: Bennington, Brattleboro, Randolph Center, and Williston, VT
  • Type: Public 
  • Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Tuition: $596 per credit hour for residents; $1,139 per credit hour for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: Official transcripts of all college credits taken. Applicants with fewer than 18 college credits must submit a high school transcript with proof of algebra I, lab chemistry, and lab biology or college anatomy and physiology I.
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes 
  • School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.7% first-time pass rate
  • Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,544 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$14,040
Out-of-state
$27,336
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$13,410
Out-of-state
$25,650
Retention Rate
69%
Acceptance Rate
67%
Students Enrolled
1,704
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
21% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

Featured Online Programs

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Vermont

When choosing a nursing school in Vermont, consider the total cost and financial aid, the NCLEX pass rate (which indicates how prepared students are to practice nursing), and the program graduation rate. Admission requirements, program quality and reputation, and the logistics of attending are also factors.

If you plan to attend an online nursing program in Vermont, find out if you can get local placement for clinical hours and what kind of support the school offers for placement. Because nursing school accreditation is fundamental to quality and value, this guide lists only accredited nursing programs in Vermont.

Why Become a Nurse in Vermont

Vermont is one of the few states that require hospitals to publish their nurse-staffing ratios. This information helps you choose among potential employers, as well as allowing the public to make healthcare decisions.

In addition, Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so once you graduate from nursing school in Vermont, you are eligible to apply for a multistate license. Nurses are not required to complete continuing education for nurses to renew their licenses, giving nurses less paperwork than other states.

Vermont offers a high quality of life, with beautiful scenery, year-round outdoor recreation, and, of course, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and Cabot Creamery's headquarters. If you're not a dairy fan, you can still enjoy Vermont's wealth of maple syrup.

Vermont residents are the most likely in the country to be satisfied with their safety and are among the least likely to worry about violent crime.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Vermont

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for registered nurses (RNs) in Vermont is $72,140, compared to $82,750 nationally. Nurse practitioners (NPs) earn $108,280, also lower than the national average of $118,040. The 117 cost-of-living index in Vermont is higher than the national index of 100. Learn more about RN salaries in Vermont.

Job growth for nurses in Vermont is also below national levels. The RN job growth rate is one of the lowest in the country, projected to grow 8% between 2018 and 2028, compared to 12.1% nationally. Similarly, the NP job growth rate is 16.1%, higher than most jobs but lower than the national projected rate of 28.2%.

However, a 2021 report from Vermont Talent Pipeline Management projects 2,610 new or replacement job openings for RNs and 115 NP jobs by 2023, factoring COVID-19 workforce departures into account.

Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Vermont

Burlington is Vermont's only major metropolitan area. It is home to most of Vermont's largest employers, including the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, and many small manufacturers.

Highest-Paying Cities
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas Median Salary for RNs
Burlington — South Burlington $72,360
Source: BLS

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Vermont

Vermont, like all states, requires RNs to graduate from nursing school, pass the relevant examinations (NCLEX for RNs and board certifications for advanced practice nurses), and complete a criminal background check. Vermont recently added background check requirements, which are being phased into the process.

Unlike most states, Vermont requires active practice hours for renewing a nursing license rather than continuing education.

RN Requirements

To become an RN in Vermont, you must graduate from an ADN or a BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and complete a criminal background check. If you didn't attend nursing

school in Vermont, you must have your school send your transcripts to the state board of nursing. The application fee is $60.

Vermont enacted the NLC in February 2022, so you can apply for a multistate license.

APRN Requirements

To earn an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license, you need to graduate with a master of science in nursing or doctor of nursing practice, pass the relevant board examination, and document your valid Vermont nursing license. You must send your official transcripts and document that you have completed graduate coursework in advanced pathophysiology, advanced assessment, and pharmacotherapeutics.

If you have fewer than 24 months and 2,400 hours of experience as an APRN, you must have a collaborative provider agreement. Like RNs, you need active practice hours rather than continuing education for renewal.

Other Top Nursing Programs in Vermont and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Vermont


How much do nurses make in Vermont?

In Vermont, the average salary for RNs is $72,140. NPs earn $108,280. RNs with more than 10 years of experience earn an average $146,680, according to Indeed.com as of April 2022, while those with less than one year earn $112,230.

Are nurses in demand in Vermont?

Nurses are in demand in Vermont, and employers anticipate a need for more than 2,600 new RNs and more than 100 NPs (for new jobs or to replace workers who retire or leave) from 2021-2023. The BLS projected a surplus of nurses from 2014-2030, but these estimates were developed before COVID-19.

How long does it take to become an RN in Vermont?

It takes at least two years to earn an ADN degree and four years to earn a BSN. Once you graduate and apply for the NCLEX-RN, it takes about 3-5 business days to receive authorization and another 3-5 days to get the results after completing the exam.

How do I get a nursing license in Vermont?

You need an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in Vermont or another state. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN examination to get licensure and complete a criminal background check.

If you have a multistate license, you can practice in Vermont, which is an NLC state.


Find Nursing Programs in Other States

NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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