Middlebury College admits approximately 10.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 10 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Middlebury among the most selective institutions in the United States, falling within the Highly Selective tier (10-25% admission rate). The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Middlebury's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private liberal arts colleges, Middlebury's acceptance rate reflects intense competition for admission. This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students—those with outstanding test scores, grades, and extracurricular achievements—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would excel at Middlebury do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots. Students considering Middlebury should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Middlebury as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, and the alternatives section below provides schools that deliver similar post-graduation outcomes with more accessible admission. Given this selectivity level, prospective applicants should expect a holistic review process that evaluates academic achievement alongside personal qualities, leadership experience, and institutional fit.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Middlebury typically present exceptional academic credentials that place them among the highest-achieving high school graduates nationally. The middle 50% of enrolled students score between 1430 and 1550 on the SAT, with a median score of 1500. SAT Math scores range from 710 to 780, while Verbal scores span from 720 to 770, indicating strong performance across both quantitative and verbal reasoning. ACT scores range from 33 to 34, with a median of 33. These ranges reflect the academic caliber of students who both gain admission and choose to enroll at Middlebury. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1256, Middlebury's admitted students score 244 points higher on average, demonstrating the institution's position among academically elite colleges. Students scoring below 1430 on the SAT or 33 on the ACT should understand they face greater competitive challenges but are not automatically excluded from consideration. The 25th percentile represents enrolled students, not minimum requirements, meaning some admitted students score below these thresholds. Students whose academic profiles fall within these ranges can consider themselves academically competitive for admission, though test scores represent only one component of the holistic review process. Applicants should recognize that even perfect test scores do not guarantee admission given the overall competitiveness of Middlebury's applicant pool and the institution's emphasis on selecting students who will contribute meaningfully to campus intellectual and social communities.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Middlebury enrolls a student body that reflects both academic excellence and moderate socioeconomic diversity within the context of highly selective admission. The college enrolls 16.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly one in six students comes from families with household incomes typically below $50,000. First-generation college students represent 21.6% of enrollment, meaning approximately one in five students will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree. The transfer student population is minimal at 1.0%, reflecting Middlebury's focus on traditional four-year students and limited transfer admission opportunities. While these diversity metrics are lower than those found at public institutions, they indicate that Middlebury does enroll students from various economic backgrounds alongside those from more privileged circumstances. The geographic diversity tends toward national and international representation, reflecting the institution's reputation and appeal beyond its Vermont location. Students should understand that admission to Middlebury involves competition among academically exceptional candidates, with the admissions committee selecting students who demonstrate not only outstanding academic preparation but also intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, and alignment with the college's academic culture and values. First-generation students and those from lower-income families should note their representation within Middlebury's student body, though they should also consider how well the campus environment will support their specific needs and background.
Given Middlebury's 10.4% acceptance rate, most applicants will need alternative options that deliver comparable career outcomes with more accessible admission processes.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who gain admission to Middlebury demonstrate exceptional success in degree completion and academic persistence. The first-year retention rate reaches 93.6%, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, indicating that nearly all students who enroll return for their sophomore year. The six-year graduation rate of 92.6% substantially exceeds the peer median of 70.0%, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting students through degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at rates very close to the overall population, though specific Pell completion data is not available for detailed comparison. The high retention and graduation rates reflect both the strong academic preparation of admitted students and the institutional support systems available once enrolled. These metrics suggest that students who gain admission can expect an environment designed to facilitate academic success and degree completion. The retention rate indicates that the academic rigor and campus culture align well with student expectations and capabilities. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of the academic environment they would experience if admitted. The gap between Middlebury's completion rates and national averages reflects the combination of selective admission and institutional resources dedicated to student success. Students who are admitted should feel confident about their prospects for degree completion, given the institution's track record of supporting students through graduation.
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Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
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