Students at Middlebury College achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally, with graduates consistently reaching high-income careers across multiple industries.
The college delivers particularly strong outcomes for low-income students who gain admission, demonstrating its ability to create meaningful economic mobility through academic excellence and extensive alumni networks.
Middlebury College delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes, ranking in the top 10% nationally for graduate earnings among all institutions. With median 10-year earnings of $76,310, Middlebury graduates consistently achieve strong financial returns that reflect both the institution's academic rigor and its powerful alumni network. The college's selective admissions process and substantial endowment resources create an environment where students benefit from small class sizes, extensive faculty mentorship, and robust career services that translate into meaningful professional advantages.
What distinguishes Middlebury is its ability to deliver premium outcomes while maintaining need-based financial aid that makes attendance possible for lower-income students, though access remains limited with only 17% of students receiving Pell Grants. The college operates as a "Selective Achievers" institution, combining highly competitive admissions with strong mobility outcomes for the low-income students who do gain admission.
As a prestigious liberal arts college in Vermont, Middlebury offers the intimate academic experience and alumni connections typical of elite private institutions, with graduates entering careers in finance, consulting, technology, and public service at rates that justify the substantial investment families make in this education.
Middlebury's program portfolio reflects the college's liberal arts mission while delivering strong career outcomes across multiple fields. Applied Economics leads in both scale and financial returns, graduating 129 students with median earnings of $75,518, making it the college's primary economic engine. This program combines rigorous quantitative training with practical applications that translate well to careers in finance, consulting, and policy analysis.
Computer Science represents a growing area of strength, graduating 65 students who earn around $58,673 early in their careers. While smaller than economics, this program benefits from increasing demand for technical skills and Middlebury's emphasis on combining computational thinking with liberal arts perspectives. International Relations graduates earn approximately $55,964, reflecting the program's connection to careers in diplomacy, international business, and global organizations that often provide substantial long-term earning potential.
Even programs with more modest early earnings create pathways to success. American Government and Politics graduates start around $41,025 but often pursue graduate education or public service careers that build value over time. The college's liberal arts foundation ensures that students across all majors develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that serve them well regardless of their specific field of study.
Middlebury College graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $76,310 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the top 10% nationally for graduate earnings. This performance reflects both the college's academic reputation and its extensive alumni network, which opens doors to high-paying careers in finance, consulting, technology, and other competitive fields. The college's small size and intensive mentorship model help students develop the skills and connections needed for career advancement.
Applied Economics stands out as Middlebury's highest-return program, graduating 129 students with median earnings of $75,518 and generating the strongest aggregate economic impact. Computer Science, while smaller with 65 graduates, produces solid early-career earnings of $58,673 and represents a growing area of strength. International Relations graduates earn around $55,964, reflecting the program's connection to careers in diplomacy, international business, and global organizations. Even programs with more modest early earnings, like American Government and Politics at $41,025, often lead to graduate school or public service careers that build value over time.
The college's liberal arts foundation, combined with strong programs in economics, computer science, and international studies, creates multiple pathways to financial success. Middlebury's emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills translates well across industries, while the institution's prestigious reputation and alumni network provide ongoing career advantages that compound over time.
Middlebury College requires a substantial financial commitment, particularly for middle- and upper-income families. Low-income students pay approximately $10,270 annually after aid, a manageable figure that reflects the college's strong need-based financial aid program. Middle-income families face net costs around $14,741, while high-income families pay close to the full sticker price at $48,804 per year. This pricing structure means that affordability depends heavily on family income and the college's assessment of financial need.
Debt levels remain relatively controlled given the institution's high costs. Typical graduates leave with about $13,857 in federal student loan debt, a moderate amount that reflects both generous need-based aid and families' ability to cover costs through savings and current income. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $26,113, indicating that many families choose to take on additional debt to cover the substantial costs not met by student aid packages.
The college's strong earnings outcomes help justify these costs for families who can manage them. With graduates earning a median of $76,310 ten years out, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building wealth over time. The key consideration is whether families can afford the upfront investment without compromising their financial stability, as Middlebury's value proposition depends on the ability to access its premium educational experience.
Middlebury College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
