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A Recognition Rooted in Results

For generations, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ has measured success through the achievements, leadership, and impact its graduates make throughout their lives and careers.

A recent national analysis reinforces that Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's commitment to preparing graduates for leadership, service, and professional success continues to pay dividends long after students receive their diplomas.

According to an analysis published by Business Insider using data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ graduates have the highest median earnings among graduates of any college or university in Vermont four years after graduation. The analysis found that Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ graduates earn roughly $76,000 annually at that point in their careers, reflecting the University’s longstanding commitment to preparing students for an ever-changing world. 

The recognition highlights a topic that has become increasingly important for prospective students and families: return on investment (ROI).

As the cost of higher education remains a national conversation, many students are asking a straightforward question: Will my college education prepare me for a successful career?

For Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ graduates, the data reinforces the answer is yes.

A Timeless and Unique Education 

Founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ was established with a mission unlike any other institution of its time. Partridge envisioned an education that would prepare students not only to think, but to act; not only to learn, but to lead. By blending academic excellence with hands-on experience, leadership development, and a culture of accountability, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ created a model focused on outcomes long before return on investment became part of the higher education conversation. The success of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ graduates today reflects the enduring value of that vision.

That philosophy continues to shape the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ experience more than two centuries later.

Whether pursuing careers in engineering, cybersecurity, nursing, business, criminal justice, national security, education, or military service, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ students graduate with a combination of academic knowledge, leadership experience, and practical skills that employers value.

The University's emphasis on experiential learning, leadership development, teamwork, and problem-solving creates an educational environment designed to prepare students for the challenges they will encounter after graduation.

The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Difference

As the birthplace of , Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ has long embraced the concept of developing citizen-soldiers and civic leaders. As the nation’s oldest private military college and one of only six Senior Military Colleges, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ combines leadership development with a traditional liberal and professional education in ways few institutions can match. The result is a community where leadership is not viewed as an academic subject alone, but as a daily practice.

Civilian students and cadets alike benefit from opportunities to lead organizations, participate in research, complete internships, engage with faculty mentors, and gain real-world experience before entering the workforce.

The Business Insider recognition reflects the outcomes of those experiences.

Real-World Return on Investment 

While salary is only one measure of success, it remains an important indicator of career readiness and professional opportunity. Strong earnings outcomes suggest that graduates are entering fields where their education, preparation, and leadership abilities are valued.

For Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ alumni, those outcomes are visible across industries and around the world. They serve as military officers, engineers, healthcare professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, cybersecurity specialists, public servants, and business leaders. Their careers reflect the University's enduring commitment to preparing graduates for lives of purpose and impact.

The distinction also reinforces a message that generations of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ alumni have carried with them: a Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ education is an investment that continues to deliver value long after graduation.

More than 200 years after its founding, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ remains focused on the same mission that inspired Captain Partridge to establish the University. The methods may evolve, the careers may differ, and the challenges facing graduates may change, but the objective remains the same: preparing students to become successful leaders, effective professionals, and engaged citizens.

The latest earnings data offers one more indication that mission continues to succeed.