Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Vermont
Vermont is famous for its natural landscapes, such as the Green Mountains, some of the oldest rocks in the world, and for being the second-smallest state by population.
Home of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and the largest producer of maple syrup in the nation, the state has increasingly been attracting highly educated nurses. According to a recent survey, in 2020, there were more than 10,000 nurses in Vermont — an increase of 1,229 compared to 2019.
Many factors could explain this, including a good salary, effective healthcare policies, and top health systems. Discover the best nursing schools in Vermont and start your plan to work in the Green Mountain State.
Vermont’s top nursing programs:
1. University of Vermont — Score 85
NCLEX pass rate: 87%
In-state annual tuition: $16,280
Out-of-state annual tuition: $41,280
The University of Vermont (UVM) is ranked one of the best national universities by U.S. News & World Report and is the top employer in the state. Its 2018-2020 report showed that 96.4% of its undergraduate nursing students were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation and 98.5% were satisfied with their job.
The nursing school offers opportunities for studying abroad in various countries, including Uganda and the Netherlands. It also has a free summer bridge program for incoming students of color and/or from limited-income backgrounds.
The institution is affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network, which has six facilities, including a Level 1 Trauma Center and a children’s hospital and cancer center. It promotes high-quality education with an interdisciplinary approach.
UVM has a wellness program with fitness and nutrition coaches, daily yoga instruction, and a mentorship program for students who want help.
Online classes: yes
The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:
Graduation rate: 76%
Programs offered:
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2. Castleton University — Score 65
NCLEX pass rate: 87%
In-state annual tuition: $15,456
Out-of-state annual tuition: $28,800
Considered one of the best regional colleges in the north by U.S. News & World Report, Castleton University has a relationship-based approach, which means direct access to professors in-person or online.
The institution is affiliated with top medical centers, such as Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM-MC), two of the best hospitals to work for in the state, according to U.S. News & World Report and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Castleton University also offers different clubs and projects to enrich your resume with extracurricular activities, such as the Multicultural Club, the Myofascial Release Club and the Active Minds. Its MSN program is flexible and 100% online, which means nurses can continue working and earning as they complete their graduate degree.
Online classes: yes
The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:
- BSN
Graduation rate: 76%
Programs offered:
- BSN
- MSN
| School | Graduation Rate | In State Annual Tuition | Out of State Annual Tuition | NCLEX Pass Rates | Accreditation | Nursing Programs | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vermont | 76.00% | $16,280.00 | $41,280.00 | 87.00% | Yes | BSN, MSN, DE-Clinical Nurse, Accelerated MS, DE- DNP, DNP, PDNP | 85 | 1 |
| Castleton University | 59.00% | $15,456 | $28,800.00 | NA | Yes | BSN | 65 | 2 |
How to choose the right nursing program
Choosing a nursing program doesn’t need to be a challenge. Read about some of the key features in this decision, such as location, tuition fees, and NCLEX pass rates.
Location
Location is not only important when taking classes in nursing labs or attending facilities to gain clinical experience, but is also essential to your well-being. Studying in an environment that makes you feel comfortable may boost your concentration and performance in studies.
For example, the University of Vermont is located in Burlington, the most-populous city in the state. Students who like fast-paced places would probably enjoy it, rather than Castleton University, which is in an area mostly made up of ranches — which, in some peoples’ opinion, is a great place to relax and to take a vacation.
Tuition
Consider the tuition costs as well as other expenses, including textbooks, lab and technology fees, scrubs, and immunizations.
Fortunately, most colleges offer scholarships and, in Vermont, there is the The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while you work full-time for a qualifying employer.
NCLEX pass rate
For any nursing school, a high NCLEX pass rate — meaning above 90% — is a successful metric. Ensure that, as a student, you are prepared for the four test categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity and physiological integrity.
In addition, NCLEX tests candidates with different approaches: multiple choice questions, hot-spot items and open-ended questions. Lessons with clinical cases are examples of resources used in the prep course for the exam.
Programs offered
Another step to succeeding in nursing school is selecting the right program for you. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can choose the ASN or BSN program. But if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the ABSN or DE-MSN may be better options.
According to Fortune Education, nursing is one of the highest-paying jobs. But it depends on the program. A BSN degree offers, on average, a salary of $78,000, while a nurse practitioner could earn almost $124,000 a year.
Graduation rate
Top nursing schools strive to maintain a graduation rate of at least 90%. This is important to prove that it accomplishes its mission of helping students become nurses by developing a supportive role in advising students and referring them for tutoring or help.
Next steps
Now that you understand the most important factors you should look for in a nursing school, including location, tuition, school ratings and degrees offered, prepare for the next steps.
With your nursing diploma in hand, you’ll need to start the license and certification processes. It can vary from state to state – you can read our guide with all the information for Vermont.
Also, after leaving school, you may continue studying and earning continuing education unit (CEU) credits. Sign up and access our free Vermont CEU courses to continue your studies after graduation.
If you feel overwhelmed with all these processes and recommendations, ask for help from nurses in Vermont.
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Methodology
In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.
Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.
We used data from:
- University of Vermont
- Castleton University
- Vermont Board of Nursing
- U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings
Sources
- “2022 Scorecard on State Health System Performance”. commonwealthfund.org. Accessed August 21, 2022.
- Failure to Complete BSN Nursing Programs: Students’ Views. files.eric.ed.gov. Accessed August 21, 2022.
- “The must-haves for getting into a top online master’s in nursing program.” fortune.com. Accessed August 21, 2022.
- “What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form?”. studentaid.gov. Accessed August 21, 2022.
