Students at Saint Michael's College achieve consistently strong long-term earnings that place the institution among the top quarter of colleges nationwide for financial outcomes.
Graduates across all income backgrounds see meaningful career success, with particularly strong results for the low-income students the college serves.
Saint Michael's College delivers strong long-term value despite higher upfront costs, combining the intimate learning environment of a small liberal arts college with outcomes that place it among the top performers nationally. Located in Vermont, this private nonprofit institution serves about 1,800 students with a focus on personalized education and close faculty-student relationships. While Saint Michael's serves a more affluent student population than typical colleges, with only 18% of students receiving Pell Grants, it consistently delivers on its promise of strong career preparation.
Graduates earn a median of $61,317 ten years after enrollment, placing the college in the 80th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. This performance reflects both the quality of education and the career networks that small liberal arts colleges can provide. The college's "Selective Achievers" designation indicates it combines strong outcomes with more limited access for low-income students, typical of many private liberal arts institutions.
For families who can afford the investment, Saint Michael's represents a compelling value proposition in higher education. The combination of small-college attention, strong alumni networks, and consistently solid career outcomes makes it an attractive option for students seeking a traditional liberal arts experience with modern career relevance.
Saint Michael's College offers a focused liberal arts curriculum that emphasizes foundational skills and broad intellectual development. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program and highest aggregate return major, graduating 65 students who earn median salaries of $37,624 in early career years. This program combines practical business skills with the liberal arts foundation that characterizes all Saint Michael's degrees.
Psychology represents the college's largest enrollment with 50 graduates earning median salaries of $32,658, reflecting the program's popularity and the diverse career paths it opens in counseling, human resources, research, and graduate study. American Government and Politics, while smaller with 21 graduates, produces some of the highest individual earnings at $37,424, preparing students for careers in public service, law, and policy work.
The program mix reflects Saint Michael's liberal arts mission, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that translate across industries. Rather than offering highly specialized technical programs, the college focuses on developing well-rounded graduates who can adapt to changing career demands. This approach serves students well in an economy that increasingly values flexibility and broad-based skills alongside specific expertise.
Saint Michael's College graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that justify the institution's higher costs. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $61,317, placing the college in the 80th percentile nationally for earnings performance. This solid return reflects the value of the liberal arts education combined with practical career preparation that characterizes the Saint Michael's experience.
The college's program mix centers on foundational liberal arts disciplines that translate well into diverse career paths. Business Administration and Management leads both in enrollment and aggregate return, with 65 graduates earning a median of $37,624 in early career years. Psychology, the largest program with 50 graduates, produces median earnings of $32,658, while American Government and Politics majors achieve some of the highest individual earnings at $37,424. These programs reflect Saint Michael's strength in preparing students for careers in business, public service, and professional fields that often require strong communication and analytical skills.
The college's small size creates advantages in career preparation and networking that larger institutions often cannot match. With close faculty mentorship and strong alumni connections, Saint Michael's graduates often find pathways into competitive fields and graduate programs that contribute to their long-term earning potential.
Saint Michael's College requires a significant financial investment, particularly for middle- and upper-income families. Low-income students pay about $18,855 annually after aid, which is relatively manageable, but middle-income families face costs around $24,230 per year, and high-income families pay approximately $34,664. These net prices reflect the reality of private liberal arts education, where smaller endowments and higher per-student costs translate into higher family contributions across all income levels.
The debt picture requires careful family planning, as typical graduates leave with $26,922 in federal student loans and families often supplement with $30,000 in Parent PLUS borrowing. While these debt levels are substantial, they remain within manageable ranges given the college's strong earnings outcomes. The combination of solid post-graduation earnings and the college's 93% loan repayment rate suggests that most graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
What makes Saint Michael's financially sustainable for many families is the predictable return on investment. With graduates consistently earning above-average salaries and maintaining strong employment rates, the upfront costs typically pay off over time. The college's financial aid office works closely with families to structure aid packages that make attendance feasible, though affordability remains a primary consideration for most prospective students.
Saint Michael's College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
