Middlebury, VT · Private University
Is Middlebury College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$76,310
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,280
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,280
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$261,120
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.17x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,857
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$25,934
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Middlebury College graduates earn $31,310 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Middlebury College ranked by graduate earnings
55 graduates
21 graduates
34 graduates
19 graduates
34 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Middlebury College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Middlebury College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $125,751) and the lowest (Biology, General: $34,891) is $90,860/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $125,751 | 1.9x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $84,567 | 1.3x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $80,158 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $67,306 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $67,080 | 1.0x |
| Sociology | $52,425 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $46,758 | 0.7x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $46,749 | 0.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $44,142 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | $42,018 | 0.6x |
| Area Studies | $40,843 | 0.6x |
| History(1yr data) | $40,195 | 0.6x |
| Biology, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $34,891 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury College | 1.17x | $76,310 | Average ROI |
| Hamilton College | 1.19x | $78,411 | Average ROI |
| Colby College | 1.21x | $80,490 | Average ROI |
| Bowdoin College | 1.27x | $82,735 | Average ROI |
| Amherst College | 1.15x | $77,644 | Average ROI |
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Middlebury College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $76,310 10 years after starting — $31,310 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.3 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.