Saint Michael's College
- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,317 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,239 D
- 47% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $17.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,651,874.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $17.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Saint Michael's College Matters
Saint Michael's College is a private liberal arts college in Colchester, VT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,092
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Saint Michael's College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1280. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,239 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,317 ten years after enrolling — 50% above the typical college, against $26,922 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 87% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.79 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 1,000 students, Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont, creates a close-knit community perfect for those who thrive in a more intimate academic setting. The college is particularly strong in Business & Marketing, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical studies, Social Sciences, and Health Professions. Students here often appreciate the supportive environment, which is conducive to both personal and academic growth, making it a good fit for those seeking a comprehensive education that goes beyond just lectures.
Looking at life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Alumni earn an average of $61,317 a decade after finishing their degrees, which indicates a solid return on investment for many graduates. The affordability factor is also significant; with a net price of $25,239 after financial aid, students can embark on their careers without overwhelming debt. While 24% of students rely on Pell Grants, many find their way into good-paying jobs that allow them to thrive in their chosen fields.
When it comes to finances, the median debt stands at $26,922, which is manageable for most graduates, especially considering their earning potential. Students who tend to excel here are often those who value a collaborative learning atmosphere and are eager to engage with faculty and peers alike. This community-oriented environment, paired with a reasonable cost of attendance, makes Saint Michael's College an appealing option for many looking to balance education quality with financial viability.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Saint Michael's College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Saint Michael's College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Saint Michael's College, located in Colchester, Vermont, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,245. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1245
- SAT Range
- 1120–1280
- ACT Range
- 26–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 97%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,332
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.40
- First-Gen Students
- 12%
- Applicants
- 2,626
- Admitted
- 2,236
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Saint Michael's College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Michael's College is $51,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,239. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,825 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,922 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $51,450
- Out-of-State
- $51,450
- Avg Net Price
- $25,239
- Median Debt
- $26,922
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,825
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,940
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,384
- Family Income $110K+
- $34,539
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Saint Michael's College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Saint Michael's College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Michael's College earn a median of $61,317, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,898
- 8 Years
- $50,360
- 10 Years
- $61,317
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (410)
- 72%
- 100% (410)
- 72%
- 100% (410)
- 72%
- 100% (410)
- 72%
How Saint Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Saint Michael's College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Saint Michael's College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,239/year ($100,956 total). Graduates earn $61,317 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,752,830 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,651,874 (17.4× your investment). The median debt is $26,922, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $100,956
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,752,830
- Net Return
- $1,651,874
- ROI Multiple
- 17.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,239
- Median Debt
- $26,922
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Saint Michael's College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Saint Michael's College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.83%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.83%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 35.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $161,815
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $796,267
- Investment Income
- $-6,264,237
Top Programs
The fields Saint Michael's College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $69,697 early-career
- Social Sciences 13% $48,592 early-career
- Psychology 10% $38,804 early-career
- Health Professions 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $33,722 early-career
- Education 7% $41,658 early-career
- Communications 5% $40,107 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $30,854 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Saint Michael's College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Saint Michael's College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Saint Michael's College, located in Colchester, Vermont, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,245. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Saint Michael's College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Michael's College is $51,450, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,239. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,825 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,922 in federal student loans.
Is Saint Michael's College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Michael's College earn a median of $61,317, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Saint Michael's College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Saint Michael's College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.83%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 35.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Saint Michael's College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Michael's College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Saint Michael's College.
- Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME · Close peer67% grad $59,045 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA · Close peer67% grad $53,460 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Edgewood UniversityMadison, WI · Close peer64% grad $59,728 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer70% grad $64,778 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Loras CollegeDubuque, IA · Close peer69% grad $58,289 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Saint Michael's College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Michael's College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note