The Top Nursing Schools in Vermont

Nursing schools in Vermont boast above-average National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates. The state also requires employers to disclose nurse-staffing ratios — a major potential benefit for nurses once they enter the workfoce.

This guide can help you select the right nursing school in Vermont for your career goals, explains how to earn your license, and describes salary and job growth prospects.

Keep reading to find the best nursing program in Vermont for you.

As a smaller state, Vermont does not have many nursing schools, but you can still take into account your preferences, background, and goals when choosing a program. Associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs include easier admission requirements, and students typically graduate in two years. Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees take four years but offer more career potential, especially for further education.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Vermont, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

When choosing a nursing school in Vermont, consider the total cost and financial aid, the NCLEX pass rate (which indicates how prepared students are to practice nursing), and the program graduation rate. Admission requirements, program quality and reputation, and the logistics of attending are also factors.

If you plan to attend an online nursing program in Vermont, find out if you can get local placement for clinical hours and what kind of support the school offers for placement. Because nursing school accreditation is fundamental to quality and value, this guide lists only accredited nursing programs in Vermont.

Vermont is one of the few states that require hospitals to publish their nurse-staffing ratios. This information helps you choose among potential employers, as well as allowing the public to make healthcare decisions.

In addition, Vermont is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, so once you graduate from nursing school in Vermont, you are eligible to apply for a multistate license. Nurses are not required to complete continuing education for nurses to renew their licenses, giving nurses less paperwork than other states.

Vermont offers a high quality of life, with beautiful scenery, year-round outdoor recreation, and, of course, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and Cabot Creamery’s headquarters. If you’re not a dairy fan, you can still enjoy Vermont’s wealth of maple syrup.

Vermont residents are the most likely in the country to be satisfied with their safety and are among the least likely to worry about violent crime.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for registered nurses (RNs) in Vermont is $72,140, compared to $82,750 nationally. Nurse practitioners (NPs) earn $108,280, also lower than the national average of $118,040. The 117 cost-of-living index in Vermont is higher than the national index of 100. Learn more about RN salaries in Vermont.

Job growth for nurses in Vermont is also below national levels. The RN job growth rate is one of the lowest in the country, projected to grow 8% between 2018 and 2028, compared to 12.1% nationally. Similarly, the NP job growth rate is 16.1%, higher than most jobs but lower than the national projected rate of 28.2%.

However, a 2021 report from Vermont Talent Pipeline Management projects 2,610 new or replacement job openings for RNs and 115 NP jobs by 2023, factoring COVID-19 workforce departures into account.

Burlington is Vermont’s only major metropolitan area. It is home to most of Vermont’s largest employers, including the University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, and many small manufacturers.

Vermont, like all states, requires RNs to graduate from nursing school, pass the relevant examinations (NCLEX for RNs and board certifications for advanced practice nurses), and complete a criminal background check. Vermont recently added background check requirements, which are being phased into the process.

Unlike most states, Vermont requires active practice hours for renewing a nursing license rather than continuing education.

In Vermont, the average salary for RNs is $72,140. NPs earn $108,280. RNs with more than 10 years of experience earn an average $146,680, according to Indeed.com as of April 2022, while those with less than one year earn $112,230.

Nurses are in demand in Vermont, and employers anticipate a need for more than 2,600 new RNs and more than 100 NPs (for new jobs or to replace workers who retire or leave) from 2021-2023. The BLS projected a surplus of nurses from 2014-2030, but these estimates were developed before COVID-19.

It takes at least two years to earn an ADN degree and four years to earn a BSN. Once you graduate and apply for the NCLEX-RN, it takes about 3-5 business days to receive authorization and another 3-5 days to get the results after completing the exam.

You need an ADN or a BSN from an accredited nursing program in Vermont or another state. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN examination to get licensure and complete a criminal background check.

If you have a multistate license, you can practice in Vermont, which is an NLC state.