Top 3 Game Development Programs in Vermont 2025
University of Vermont
84 game development graduates annually, 91% graduation rate
Middlebury College
57 game development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Champlain College
99 game development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Vermont offers 8+ accredited game development programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Vermont leads with 91% graduation rate
- 3.Vermont software developers earn median $98,760 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland
- 5.Cost of living index: 111.4% of US average (above average)
Game Development Education in Vermont: Overview
Vermont offers 8 accredited game development programs, producing approximately 282 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, with major employers including GlobalFoundries, Dealer.com, MyWebGrocer.
With a median software developer salary of $98,760 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 111.4% compared to the US average, Vermont offers competitive salaries that offset the higher cost of living.
The top game development programs in the state are led by University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Champlain College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Vermont Game Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Vermont | Burlington, VT | Public | $16,280 | 91% | 80.2 |
| 2 | Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT | Private | $64,800 | — | 74 |
| 3 | Champlain College | Burlington, VT | Private | $45,100 | — | 70.8 |
| 4 | Bennington College | Bennington, VT | Private | $63,802 | — | 47.5 |
| 5 | Landmark College | Putney, VT | Private | $64,290 | — | 47.1 |
| 6 | Norwich University | Northfield, VT | Private | $46,860 | — | 41.8 |
| 7 | Vermont State University | Randolph, VT | Public | $9,984 | — | 38.7 |
| 8 | Saint Michael's College | Colchester, VT | Private | $47,640 | — | 37.5 |
Top 5 Game Development Programs in Vermont: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Vermont | Middlebury College | Champlain College | Bennington College | Landmark College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $16,280 | $64,800 | $45,100 | $63,802 | $64,290 |
| Graduation Rate | 91% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 84 | 57 | 99 | 10 | 8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 60% | 10% | 67% | 48% | 44% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Private | Private |
| Score | 80.2/100 | 74.0/100 | 70.8/100 | 47.5/100 | 47.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Game Development in Vermont
Vermont offers 8 bachelor's-level game development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Champlain College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $69,132 in the Vermont market.
A bachelor's in game development typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Game Development Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Game Development Bachelor's Programs in Vermont
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Vermont | $16,280 | 91% | 84 | 80.2 |
| #2 Middlebury College | $64,800 | N/A% | 57 | 74.0 |
| #3 Champlain College | $45,100 | N/A% | 99 | 70.8 |
Top Game Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Vermont
For graduate study, Vermont offers 1 master's-level game development programs. Leading institutions include University of Vermont. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Vermont reaching $128,388 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best game development master's programs for more options beyond Vermont.
Top 3 Game Development Master's Programs in Vermont
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Vermont | $16,280 | 91% | 8 | 54.2 |
Most Affordable Game Development Colleges in Vermont
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable game development programs in Vermont are at Vermont State University ($9,984/year), University of Vermont ($16,280/year), Champlain College ($45,100/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Vermont's competitive tech salaries.
At Vermont State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $39,936 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $69,132, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 1.2 years. See our Most Affordable Game Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Game Development Programs in Vermont (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Vermont State | $9,984 | $39,936 | 1.2 years | Public |
| #2 U of Vermont | $16,280 | $65,120 | 1.9 years | Public |
| #3 Champlain College | $45,100 | $180,400 | 5.3 years | Private |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Game Development Schools in Vermont
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 game development programs in Vermont, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $16,280 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 91% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 84 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 60%
- • Ranking Score: 80.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 91% graduation rate
- 84 game development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 80.2 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (91%), program size (84 graduates), state salary outcomes ($98,760), and selectivity (60% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,800 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 57 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 10%
- • Ranking Score: 74.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 57 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 74.0 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (57 graduates), state salary outcomes ($98,760), and selectivity (10% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Champlain College
Burlington, VT • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $45,100 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 99 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 67%
- • Ranking Score: 70.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 99 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 70.8 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (99 graduates), state salary outcomes ($98,760), and selectivity (67% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bennington College
Bennington, VT • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $63,802 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 48%
- • Ranking Score: 47.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 10 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 47.5 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($98,760), and selectivity (48% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Landmark College
Putney, VT • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,290 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Game Development Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 44%
- • Ranking Score: 47.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 8 game development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 47.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (8 graduates), state salary outcomes ($98,760), and selectivity (44% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Vermont with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Vermont with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Vermont with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Vermont with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Vermont with strong job growth.
Game Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland
- You're seeking competitive salaries ($98,760 median)
- You want to work at companies like GlobalFoundries or Dealer.com
- You prefer Vermont's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Vermont's 8)
- You're looking for lower cost of living (consider TX, NC, GA)
Game Development in Vermont FAQ
Based on 8 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Game Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Vermont-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Vermont salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.