Middlebury College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Middlebury, Vermont · Private nonprofit · Highly selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
13%
11,831 applicants
Median SAT
1500
Mid 50: 1460–1530
In-state tuition
$67,600
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$31,483
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Middlebury College is a private nonprofit university in Middlebury, Vermont that admits about 13% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $31,483 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Computer Science, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 93% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Middlebury College is a private institution located in Middlebury, Vermont and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Middlebury College admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 13%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1500 and an ACT composite around 33. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $31,483 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Middlebury College?

Most admitted students at Middlebury College present unweighted GPAs in the 3.85–4.0 range with five or more AP or honors courses across high school.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Middlebury College.

What does Middlebury College weight in admissions?

Middlebury College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important6 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
Important3 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations

SAT and ACT scores Middlebury College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 725–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1460
50th percentile1500
75th percentile1530
% submitting SAT33%
ACT Composite
25th percentile33
50th percentile34
75th percentile35
% submitting ACT16%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

How much does Middlebury College actually cost?

Published tuition is $67,600 for in-state students and $67,600 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,250 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $31,483 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$70,120
Room and board$20,116
Average net price (after aid)$31,483
Application fee$65 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Middlebury College

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 1
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)39%

Will my child graduate from Middlebury College?

These predict outcomes at Middlebury College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
93%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
93%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Middlebury College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Middlebury College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Computer Science. Across all programs, Middlebury College confers roughly 449 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $150,031 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Economics111$150,031
Natural Resources Conservation and Research62
Computer Science53
International Relations and National Security Studies49$116,041
Neurobiology and Neurosciences48
Political Science and Government46
Research and Experimental Psychology45
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other35$66,610
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Middlebury College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Middlebury College disclosed 22 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
22
8.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.37 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
7
2.56 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,738 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Middlebury College?

About 95% of undergraduates at Middlebury College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
95%
of undergraduates
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Middlebury College.

Other colleges in Vermont parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Middlebury College

Common questions parents ask about Middlebury College

What GPA do I need for Middlebury College?

Most admitted students at Middlebury College present unweighted GPAs in the 3.85–4.0 range with five or more AP or honors courses across high school.

What SAT or ACT score does Middlebury College typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 725–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 720. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35.

How much does Middlebury College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Middlebury College after grants and scholarships is $31,483 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $67,600. Budget against the net figure.

Is Middlebury College realistic for my child?

Middlebury College admits 13% of applicants, so 725–790 SAT Math is target range and below 725 is a reach. Then check the $31,483 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Middlebury College?

Middlebury College accepts about 13% of applicants out of roughly 11,831 who apply each year. That makes it a highly selective school.

Is Middlebury College test-optional?

Yes. Middlebury College is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Middlebury College?

About 93% of students at Middlebury College graduate within six years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Middlebury College?

Middlebury College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 39%, compared with its overall rate of 13%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Middlebury College look for in applicants?

Middlebury College rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Middlebury College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Middlebury College is a private nonprofit institution located in Middlebury, Vermont.

What are the most popular majors at Middlebury College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Middlebury College by annual graduates are Economics, Natural Resources Conservation and Research and Computer Science. The school awards about 449 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Middlebury College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Middlebury College reported 22 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Middlebury College?

At Middlebury College, 95% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Middlebury College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers