University of Vermont
The University of Vermont is the public land-grant flagship in Burlington, set between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, enrolling about 12,200 undergraduates. It draws an unusually national student body for a state flagship: roughly 80% of first-years come from outside Vermont, and the university admitted about 73% of its roughly 25,400 applicants in the most recent cycle. Natural resources and the life sciences are among its largest fields, reflecting UVM's strength in environmental and health sciences, and enrolled first-years post middle-50% SAT scores of 1300–1430. UVM is test-optional and runs both binding Early Decision and nonbinding Early Action rounds.
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UVM admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Decision
UVM offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.3× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
UVM is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where UVM's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 18% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. UVM does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How UVM weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UVM's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $29,717 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UVM admissions
What is UVM's acceptance rate?＋
The University of Vermont admitted about 73% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing roughly 25,400 applications and enrolling around 2,810 first-year students. UVM is moderately selective overall, though admission to the Honors College and to high-demand health and environmental programs runs tighter than the headline rate.
What are my chances of getting into UVM from out of state?＋
Out-of-state applicants face essentially the same odds as Vermont residents at UVM. In the Fall 2025 CDS data, UVM admitted 76.5% of in-state applicants and 75.2% of out-of-state applicants, with international applicants admitted at about 30%. UVM is one of the most out-of-state public flagships in the country: roughly 80% of first-years come from outside Vermont, so non-residents make up the large majority of both the applicant pool and the admitted class.
Is a 1400 SAT good enough for UVM?＋
Yes, a 1400 is competitive at UVM. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1300–1430 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT, so a 1400 sits in the upper half of the class, near the 75th-percentile mark of 1430. UVM is test-optional, so you can apply without scores, but a 1400 strengthens a submitted application.
Is UVM test-optional?＋
Yes, the University of Vermont is test-optional, so first-year applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. About 32% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted the ACT. When scores are submitted they are weighed as a considered factor, while the rigor of your course load and your GPA carry more weight in the review.
What GPA and class rank do you need for UVM?＋
UVM does not publish an average high school GPA in its Common Data Set, but it weighs academic GPA and the rigor of your course load as very important factors. Among the 18% of enrolled first-years who reported a class rank, 35% ranked in the top tenth of their class and 68% in the top quarter, so competitive applicants generally carry strong grades in a demanding schedule.
Does UVM have Early Decision and Early Action?＋
Yes, UVM offers both. Early Decision is binding, with a November 1 deadline, and the university received 396 ED applications for the Fall 2025 class and admitted 363 of them. UVM also runs a nonbinding, non-restrictive Early Action plan, so you can apply early without committing or limiting where else you apply.
How much does UVM cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees are about $19,996 for Vermont residents and $49,713 for out-of-state students. About 45% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, the average first-year aid package is around $33,353, and UVM meets roughly 83% of demonstrated need on average.
Does the application essay matter at UVM?＋
Yes. UVM rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review, alongside recommendations, extracurriculars, and personal qualities, and above test scores, which are only considered. UVM's supplemental short answer is optional, but a specific, well-revised essay is a real chance to add context beyond your grades.
Source: University of Vermont Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-22. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UVM. Banner photo by HeyTomek, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0).