Best Online Colleges in Vermont

Benefits of Studying Online in Vermont

Vermont may not be the largest state in terms of population, but it sure has a lot to offer. It ranks as the 50th most populated state (at just over 643,000 inhabitants), and the capitol resides in Montpelier, which is just the second smallest capitol in the nation (trailing only Rhode Island). But don’t mistake the state’s size for lack of character - Vermont is home to the Burlington region (and its largest city) and is renowned for its festivals, and historical and recreational sites alike. It bears the nickname "Green Mountain State" and fits snugly into the Appalachian and New England regions. Vermont's greatness also spills over into its outdoor activities and terrain, as the state is sourced with 9,616 lovely square miles of beautiful mountain and lake ranges.

Employment Stats

In terms of economic health, Vermont recorded just over 301,000 non-farm employees in October of 2022, making it the 50th largest employer in the nation. That figure is just 0.2% of the total national workforce, but it points to a steady growth since 2021, when the total was recorded at just 296,300. This growth of just under 1.9% puts the Green Mountain State at 47th in the nation for percentage change year over year. Thus, although the number of employed workers falls well below the national median (-85%), the state still enjoys one of the fastest rate of job growth when compared to the rest of the nation in 2021.

The data reveals that Vermont has a very narrow lead over Wyoming (the nation's 51st largest employment center), which reported 285,000 jobholders at the end of 2022, that's 17k fewer than Vermont (a margin of 5.93%). The news isn't quite as good when compared to alaska, which was the 49th highest, at 322,000 (-20,000 gap). Finally, Vermont falls far short of the nation's largets employer (California, -98%), but this shouldn’t come as surprise, given that it accounts for a mere 0.2% of the total population.

Job Opportunities

In terms of job type quantity, Vermont is still close to the bottom, with just 555 occupations, the 46th most nationwide. This is about -23% below the national median of 722 job types, a spot held by Louisiana. That being said, there are still plenty of opportunities in the state, ranging from software engineering to construction, to teaching and even a few unique opportunities like dairy farming.

Vermont does beat out Alaska for the 49th spot in job quantity, with a 4% margin over the -11,890 difference in job quantity. So although the state has fewer jobs than the national median, it’s still slightly ahead of Alaska in terms of job quantity. On top of that, if you’re looking to attend college in the state, Vermont is home to a number of fantastic universities, including the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, and Bennington College. A number of Fortune 500 companies also have headquarters in Vermont, such as Keurig Dr. Pepper and Vermont Teddy Bear Company.

All in all, the economic data points to Vermont as an excellent place to consider studying and living. Despite a relatively small size when compared to the rest of the nation, it still ranked as the 47th fastest growing state when it comes to job creation and the low population makes housing prices a lot more affordable. Moreover, given its small size and recreational qualities, students will have no shortage of outdoor activities.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)