Postsecondary Education: A Look at the Data These data supplements provide additional information on the topic areas highlighted in Postsecondary Education. These supplements will evolve with time as more data becomes available. We encourage you to visit our Understanding Vermont website at www.understandingvt.org to contact us with new suggestions, ideas, and information and to read updated data and trends. Why Postsecondary Education? Section One Educating students for Vermont’s fastest growing and highest paying occupations The most promising career opportunities for Vermont youth The Realities of Cost & Debt Section Two Vermont has the lowest state funding for higher education in the nation Vermont’s public institutions face financial pressure to enroll out‐of‐state residents Vermont ranks second to last in the nation for affordable education College bound Vermonters have several options for reducing tuition costs The Need for Guidance & Preparation Section Three Vermont high school students perform well on most indicators relative to high school students nationwide Indicators that suggest that Vermont high school students might not be prepared for college or for the 21 st jobs that await them Aspiration rates and continuation rates are key indicators of postsecondary success One of Vermont’s biggest unmet challenges in preparing students for postsecondary success lies in the need to align high school standards with college readiness expectations Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students Section Four A majority of Vermont students leave the state for college Vermont students who attend college in‐state are most likely to attend a Vermont State College
Transcript
Postsecondary Education: A Look at the Data These data supplements provide additional information on the topic areas highlighted in Postsecondary Education. These supplements will evolve with time as more data becomes available. We encourage you to visit our Understanding Vermont website at www.understandingvt.org to contact us with new suggestions, ideas, and information and to read updated data and trends. Why Postsecondary Education? Section One Educating students for Vermont’s fastest growing and highest paying occupations The most promising career opportunities for Vermont youth The Realities of Cost & Debt Section Two Vermont has the lowest state funding for higher education in the nation Vermont’s public institutions face financial pressure to enroll out‐of‐state residents Vermont ranks second to last in the nation for affordable education College bound Vermonters have several options for reducing tuition costs The Need for Guidance & Preparation Section Three Vermont high school students perform well on most indicators relative to high school students nationwide
Indicators that suggest that Vermont high school students might not be prepared for college or for the 21st
jobs that await them
Aspiration rates and continuation rates are key indicators of postsecondary success
One of Vermont’s biggest unmet challenges in preparing students for postsecondary success lies in the need to align high school standards with college readiness expectations
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students Section Four A majority of Vermont students leave the state for college Vermont students who attend college in‐state are most likely to attend a Vermont State College
Section One: Why Postsecondary Education? A Look at the Data
Vermont citizens need expanded access to education and training to be prepared for the fastest growing and/or highest paying occupational opportunities in the state.
− Based on Vermont Department of Labor projections from 2006 to 2016, 13 of Vermont’s fastest growing occupations offer the promise of high annual growth rates and annual salaries above the state’s median salary. Of these 13, nearly half have marginally available to no educational/training options in the state (see Table A).
− Of the 25 highest paying occupations projected for Vermont through 2016, 15 have educational requirements with marginally available to no availability in the state (see Table B).
The most promising career opportunities for Vermont’s youth span a range of industries and require various levels of training and education. Students can expect to make a good living in Vermont if they take the time to identify and then move into one of these promising fields.
− The most promising occupations for Vermonters – those occupations with excellent in‐state education options, median annual wages listed above the state’s median wage, and a projected number of annual openings greater than ten – include five within the field of health, two within the field of education, two within the field of technology, and two that require a two‐year degree (see Table C).
− Ten of Vermont’s top 20 occupations with high projected growth over the next ten years and excellent in‐state education options are in the technology and mental health fields (see Table D).
− Only three of the top 25 highest paying jobs have 25 or more annual openings (see Table B). The training and education costs for most of these fields are very high.
− There are a growing number of occupations in Vermont that require vocational training or an associate
degree (see Table E).
Why Postsecondary Education? 1
Why Postsecondary Education? 2
The Following Keys Explain the Coding Used in Tables A, B, D, & E
Key 1: Training and Education Available in Vermont
Key 2: Training & Education Requirements
Level Assigned Examples of Occupations Education Requirements Training/Experience Required5 Surgeon, Engineering Manager Bachelor’s Degree is a minimum;
many also require a Masters, some PhD, M.D. or J.D.
Up to five years of specialized training
4 Computer Software Engineers/Systems software
Most require a Bachelor’s Degree
Several years of work‐related experience; On‐the‐job training or vocational training
3 Nurse, Electrician Most require vocational training or an associate’s degree
On‐the‐job training or 1‐2 years training
2 Retail Salespeople High School Diploma and maybe some vocational training
Up to one year working with experienced employees
1 Cashiers May require H.S. diploma or GED,
Up to a few months of training
Grade Assigned Availability of Education and Training In‐State Number of Institutions Offering Education
Vermont’s Fasting Growing Occupations Total Ten Year Increase in Jobs (2006‐2016)
Median Annual Salary
Minimum Education Costs
Education & Training Available*
Training & Education Requirements**
Personal and Home Care Aides 3,308 $21,110 OTJ OTJ 2Home Health Aides 1,039 $21,670 OTJ A 2Computer Software Engineers, Applications 503 $63,310 $34,687 A 4Social and Human Service Assistants 493 $29,120 OTJ C 3Pharmacy Technicians 226 $26,420 $12,000 D 2Medical Assistants 169 $29,400 $12,000 A 3Pharmacists 167 $105,080 $156,711 D 5Dental Hygienists 163 $57,930 $19,968 D 3Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 142 $36,020 $34,687 A 5Medical and Public Health Social Workers 140 $41,920 $41,920 A 5Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
128 $64,200 $34,687 A 3Dental Assistants 126 $33,330 $12,000 D 2Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 125 $28,170 $12,000+ A 3Mental Health Counselors 102 $46,240 $34,687 A 5Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
101 $40,950 $34,687 A 5Veterinarians 91 $72,290 34,687+ C (pre‐vet only) 5Occupational Therapists 69 $59,860 $32,800 F 4Respiratory Therapists 48 $50,320 $12,000 C 3Interpreters and Translators 46 $34,600 $12,000 C 3Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other 39 $28,470 No Info Data not available Data not availableEligibility Interviewers, Government Programs 33 $38,350 OTJ D 2Physical Therapist Assistants 27 $42,200 $34,687 D 3Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
23 $32,810 $34,687 A 4
Surgical Technologists 20 $37,170 $12,000 F 3Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 18 $46,990 $12,000 F 3*See Key 1 for explanation ** See Key 2 for explanation
13 of the top 25 fastest growing occupations (projected for 2006 to 2016) have median annual salaries above the state median salary, which was $38,060 in 2007 (as reported by the U.S. Census). Almost half of these occupations have marginally available to no educational/training options in state (highlighted in red). While many occupations are considered health‐related, the salary range within that category is broad and should be considered carefully when selecting a career. Source: Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Information Bureau, 2007
Table B: Highest Paying Jobs in Vermont (Through 2016)
Rank Occupational Title Median Annual Salary (as of 5/2007)
Education & Training Required*
Education &Training Available**
Net Annual JobOpenings Projected
1. Anesthesiologist $145,600+ 5 D 42. Surgeons $145,600+ 5 D 83. Obstetricians/Gynecologists $145,600+ 5 D 44. Optometrists $145,600+ 5 F 35. Dentists, General $145,600+ 5 D 116. Physicians/Surgeons $145,600+ 5 D 187. Chief Executives $141,480 5 A 188. Psychiatrists $134,920 5 D 69. Family/General Practitioners $128,610 5 D 10 10. Engineering Managers $127,480 5 A 711. Pediatricians $110,220 5 D 612. Pharmacists $105,080 5 D 2513. Medical Scientist $111,230 5 D 13 14. Internists $96,330 5 D 615. Operations Research Analysts $95,700 5 F Data not available 16. Computer/Info Systems Managers $91,100 5 A 617. Financial Managers $89,420 4 A 1518. Sales Managers $88,780 4 A 1619. Natural Sciences Managers $87,640 5 D 1 20. Electronics Engineers $87,520 4 B 10 21. Lawyers $86,410 5 D 4722. Human Resource Managers $86,290 Data not available B 1 23. General/Operations Managers $84,750 4 A 50 24. Med/Health Services Managers $83,700 5 A 20 25. Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software $82,110 4 A 14*See Key 1 for explanation ** See Key 2 for explanation
Of the 25 highest paying occupations in Vermont, 15 require education with marginally available to no availability in the state (highlighted in red), and in most cases these specialized occupations have limited projected job openings. Only three of the top 25 highest paying jobs have 25 or more annual openings. The training and education costs for most of these fields are very high. Source: Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Information Bureau, 2007
Why Postsecondary Education? 5
Table C: Vermont’s Most Promising Occupations
Categories
Occupations with Multiple In‐State Educational Opportunities
Projected Annual Job Openings
Median Annual Salary
Minimum Public Education Costs
Payout Ratio*
Most Openings
Highest Wages
Fastest Growing**
Largest Growth ***
Registered Nurses 235 $57,770 $19,968 2.90
Elementary School Teachers, except Special Ed
116 $45,470 $34,687 1.31
Executive Secretaries/Administrative Assistants
111 $38,150 $12,000 3.18
Accountants and Auditors 94 $54,940 $34,687 1.58
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and vocational
Medical and Public Health Social Workers 23 $41,920 $34,687 1.21
Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
20 $64,200 $34,687 1.85
Occupations with Limited In‐State Educational Opportunities
Dental Hygienists 27 $57,930 $19,968 2.90
Pharmacists 25 $105,080 $156,711 0.67
Physical Therapists 24 $58,650 $34,687 1.69
* Median Annual Salary divided by the minimum public education costs ** As a percent *** Total number of openings
The most promising occupations for Vermonters were defined as those occupations with excellent in‐state education options, projected annual openings greater than ten positions, and median annual wages listed above the 2007 state median salary of $38,060 (as reported by the U.S. Census). The occupations that met these criteria represent a diverse set of industries: five are in the field of health, two are in the field of education, two are in the field of technology, and two require a two‐year degree. Source: Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Information Bureau, 2007
Why Postsecondary Education? 6
Table D: Fast Growing, High Wage Occupations in Vermont
Fast Growing, High Wage Occupations Average Annual Growth Rate
Estimated Annual Openings from Growth
Median Annual Salary
Minimum Public Education Costs
Education Available*
Computer Software Engineers, Applications 3.9% 66 $63,310 $34,687 APharmacists 3.2% 25 $105,080 $156,711 DNetwork systems and Data Communications Analysts 3.1% 20 $64,200 $34,687 ASubstance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors 2.9% 16 $40,950 $34,687 AMedical and Public Health Social Workers 2.9% 23 $41,920 $34,687 AMental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 2.9% 23 $36,020 $34,687 AVeterinarians 2.6% 15 $72,290 $34,687+ C (pre‐vet
Ten of Vermont’s top 20 occupations with high projected growth over the next ten years and excellent in‐state education options are in the technology and mental health fields (highlighted in red). Of those occupations with the most annual openings (more than ten), eight have very widely to widely available education options in‐state, and three have marginally available to no in‐state educational options. Pharmacists and Dental Hygienists have a relatively high number of annual openings in Vermont but few in‐state educational opportunities exist. Source: Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Information Bureau, 2007
Why Postsecondary Education? 7
Table E: Vermont Occupations with the Most Openings
Most Openings (due to growth and replacements) Estimated Annual Openings from
Growth
Median Annual Salary
Minimum Education Costs
Education Available*
Training & Education Requirements**
Cashiers 438 $18,330 OTJ OTJ 1 Retail Salespersons 436 $22,120 OTJ OTJ 2 Personal and Home Care Aides 419 $21,110 OTJ OTJ 2 Waiters and Waitresses 321 $18,470 OTJ OTJ 1 Registered Nurses 235 $57,770 $19,968 A 3 Customer Service Representatives 186 $27,380 OTJ OTJ 2 Child Care Workers 157 $18,720 OTJ A 2 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks 156 $31,200 12,000 A 3 Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 134 $22,820 OTJ OTJ 1 Carpenters 128 $36,760 OTJ OTJ 2 Home Health Aides 125 $21,670 OTJ A 2 Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop 122 $18,740 OTJ OTJ 1 First‐Line Supervisors/Managers of Retail Sales Workers 119 $36,160 $12,000 D 2 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 116 $45,470 $34,687 A 4 Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 116 $18,380 OTJ D 1 Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 111 $38,150 OTJ F 3Teacher Assistants 108 n/a OTJ OTJ 3 Food Preparation Workers 104 $19,440 OTJ D 1 Secretaries, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 100 $27,570 OTJ F 2 Receptionists and Information Clerks 98 $24,680 OTJ OTJ 2 Accountants and Auditors 94 $54,940 $34,687 A 4 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 86 $22,900 OTJ OTJ 1 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education 84 $47,260 $34,687 A 4 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 82 $24,660 OTJ D 1 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 82 $31,530 OTJ D Data not available*See Key 1 for explanation ** See Key 2 for explanation
Many of the Vermont occupations with the most openings (projected for 2006 to 2016) require on‐the‐job training in lieu of formal postsecondary education. Only 5 of the 25 occupations listed above (highlighted in red) have a median annual salary above the 2007 state median annual salary of $38,060 (as reported by the U.S. Census). Most Openings can reflect occupations with high turnover associated with job dissatisfaction or displacement. Source: Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Information Bureau, 2007
Section Two: The Realities of Cost & Debt: A Look at the Data
Vermont has the lowest state funding for higher education in the nation.
− The national average state share of education and related expenses per full‐time enrolled student at public research institutions is 49%. For Vermont it is 17%.1
− Tuition and fees supply nearly all of the Vermont colleges and the University of Vermont with more than half of their total revenue (see Chart 1).
− The University of Vermont has one of the highest tuition rates in the nation for comparable institutions because Federal Pell grants cannot offset low‐levels of state funding (see Chart 2).
Vermont’s public institutions face financial pressure to enroll out‐of‐state residents.
− As Vermont’s public colleges continue to grow in popularity with out‐of‐state students, Vermont students may experience more difficulty being accepted for enrollment by these institutions. In challenging economic times, out‐of‐state students willing to pay the higher out‐of‐state tuition fees become more appealing to institutions confronted with budget cuts and decreasing state aid (see Table F). 2
− To some extent, out‐of‐state students subsidize the tuitions of Vermont residents at the University of
Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges, but this has the effect of reducing the number of slots available to Vermont residents. Consequently, acceptance at Vermont institutions becomes more difficult for Vermont residents and may force Vermonters to consider postsecondary opportunities out‐of‐state, where tuitions and fees may be higher. 3
− Each year, 70% of students attending Vermont institutions come from out‐of‐state.4 In 2007, 60% of the University of Vermont’s undergraduate population came from out‐of‐state.5
1 Delta Cost Project, IPEDS state database highlighted in the report: Trends in College Spending: Where Does the Money Come From? Where Does it Go? also by the Delta Cost Project 2 Education Sector Report, College Rankings Reformed, August 2006 3 Johnson, Tim, Bridging the College Equity Gap, Burlington Free Press, December 18, 2007 4 Postsecondary Opportunity, Tom Mortenson 5 Attendance Figures from the Vermont Supplemental Data Center, Fall 2007 Enrollment Report
The Realities of Cost & Debt 8
Vermont ranks second to last in the nation for affordable education.
− Family income in Vermont is not keeping pace with the rising costs of higher education. While the median family income in Vermont rose four percent between 1999 and 2007, tuition and fees at four‐year colleges across the country rose 79% during the same period.6
− Since 2000, Vermont families with children enrolled in college have spent from 29‐66% of their income (after financial aid) for each child to attend a Vermont college or university (see Chart 3).
− Vermont students and their families incur 25% more debt for a bachelor’s degree than the national average, ranking Vermont second to last in the nation for affordable education.7
− The average student debt in Vermont is $24,329 ranking it the fourth highest average student debt load in the nation. 8
College bound Vermonters have several options for reducing tuition costs.
− College bound Vermonters have several options for reducing their total tuition and fees including using Advanced Placement courses and dual enrollment course credits toward their degree (reducing the number of courses and the time and the tuition needed to earn a degree).
− While financial aid is offered by Vermont institutions, the gap between tuition and fees and the average financial aid can be substantial. Vermont’s independent colleges offer the most financial aid as a percentage of their total revenue. They also charge some of the highest tuitions in the state (see Charts 4a & 4b).
− Vermont residents benefit from having the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), one of the only state financing agencies for students in the country. VSAC provides information and financial resources to pursue postsecondary education within or outside the state as well as grants, loans, scholarships, and career and education planning.
6 Census Data (for median family income) & College Board, Trends in College Pricing, 2009 7 National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, Measuring Up: The National Report Card on Higher Education, Vermont State Report, The National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education, 2006 8 Student Debt and the Class of 2007, Project on Student Debt
The Realities of Cost & Debt 9
Chart 1: State Aid Versus Alternative Revenue Sources for Vermont Institutions
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
State Appropriations & Grants Tuition/Fees/Room/Board Auxiliary Enterprises Contributions
This chart depicts institutional revenue by sources in 2006. Tuition and fees supply nearly all of Vermont colleges and the University with well over half of their total revenue. Room and board is excluded. This is much higher than the national average and places a disproportionate burden on the students to provide such a high percentage of the institution’s operating budget. Auxiliary Enterprises can include conferences, facilities rental, cafeterias, bookstores and other revenue generating centers (not including room and board). For nearly half of all Vermont colleges auxiliary enterprises are a critical revenue generating resource. Contributions can play a significant role in operating revenue for the institution. While UVM generates over $160 million annually in contributions, the Vermont State Colleges receive less than one percent of their total operating budget in contributions. Generally though, the independent colleges rely most heavily on contributions to meet their operating budgets. Source: IRS 990s for listed Vermont institutions
The Realities of Cost & Debt 10
Chart 2: The University of Vermont has one of the Highest In‐State Tuition Rates in the Nation for Comparable Institutions
University of North Carolina …Oklahoma State University
SUNY at BinghamptonSUNY at Albany
Kansas State UniversityUniversity of Colorado BoulderWashington State University
University of Wisconsin MadisonUniversity of Delaware
University of Rhode IslandUniversity of Maine at Orono
University of VirginiaUniversity of ConnecticutCollege of William & Mary
University of Massachusetts at …Clemson University
University of Michigan Ann ArborUniversity of New Hampshire
Miami University of OhioUNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
Pennsylvania State University
Tuition & Fees (Dollars)Annual Tuition and Fees 4‐year Tuition and Fees
This chart compares both the annual costs and the costs of four years of tuition and fees at the University of Vermont with other public institutions considered by the University of Vermont’s 2008 in‐state applicants. When the costs of four years of tuition and fees at the University of Vermont are compared to the costs at other public institutions considered by the University of Vermont’s 2008 in‐state applicants, the University of Vermont is found to have the second highest tuition rate at $51,423 for four years. These figures do not take into consideration the costs of room and board, as these vary considerably based on geographic variations, availability of on‐campus housing, and student lifestyle choices. Tuition increases have been conservatively estimated to be five percent annually. Please note: While it is possible for students to earn a degree in four years or less, the average length of time to a degree for U.S. college students is six years. Sources: Cohen, Arthur M., Brawer, Florence B., The American Community College, Jossey‐Bass, Fourth Edition, 2003; University of Vermont Sourcebook 2008
The Realities of Cost & Debt 11
The Realities of Cost & Debt 12
Table F: Enrollment at Vermont Institutions & Associated Tuition and Fees
Institution Type of Institution
Number of VT Residents Attending
Number ofOut‐of‐ State Students Attending
Annual In‐State Tuition & Fees
Annual Out‐ of‐ State Tuition & Fees
Potential Gross Annual Revenue from Tuition & Fees
Two‐Year Community College of Vermont (CCV)
Community College
5260 348 $6,000 $11,730 $35,642,040
New England Culinary Institute (NECI)
Independent 120 517 $26,582 $26,582 $16,932,734
Four‐Year+ Bennington College Independent 33 690 $37,570 $37,570 $27,163,110Burlington College Independent 111 67 $18,350 $18,350 $3,266,300Castleton State College VSC 1471 673 $8,284 $16,948 $23,591,768
Champlain College Independent 1299 1490 $24,355 $24,355 $67,926,095College of St. Joseph Independent 290 152 $16,790 $16,790 $7,421,180
Goddard College Independent 80 598 $12,004 $12,004 $8,138,712
Green Mountain College Independent 124 699 $25,838 $25,838 $21,264,674
Johnson State College VSC 1471 396 $8,184 $16,848 $18,710,472Landmark College Independent 17 462 $43,200 $43,200 $20,692,800Lyndon State College VSC 863 552 $7,684 $16,348 $15,655,388Marlboro College Independent 59 312 $32,180 $32,180 $11,938,780Middlebury College* Independent 159 2341 $49,210 $49,210 $123,025,000Norwich University Independent 495 2949 $25,181 $25,181 $86,723,364Saint Michael's College Independent 828 1621 $31,940 $31,940 $78,221,060
Southern Vermont College Independent 174 236 $19,025 $19,025 $7,800,250
Sterling College Independent 17 89 $19,375 $19,375 $2,053,750University of Vermont Public 4955 7284 $11,931 $28,769 $268,671,501Post‐Graduate School for International Training
132 484 $34,050 $34,050 $20,974,800
Vermont Law School 73 551 $38,833 $38,833 $24,231,792TOTAL 17826 21476 The cost of in‐state tuition and fees (excluding room and board) at the University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges is significantly lower than the cost of out‐of‐state tuition at these schools. As a result, out‐of‐state student tuitions subsidize Vermont residents at the University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges. Out‐of‐state tuition and fees at the University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges were calculated using annual tuition and estimated fees. Coincidentally, two of Vermont’s state colleges had an identical number of Vermont residents at commencement of the 2007‐2008 academic year.
Note that the figures above reflect potential institutional revenues with the current proportions and numbers of in‐state and out‐of‐state students.
VSC = Vermont State College *Does not break out costs of room/board
Sources: Attendance Figures from the Vermont Supplemental Data Center, Fall 2007 Enrollment Report. 2008‐2009 tuition and fees from institutional websites, Vermont Higher Education Council
Chart 3: Since 2000, Vermont Families Have Spent up to Two‐Thirds of Their Annual Income for Each Child to Attend College in Vermont
This chart depicts the percentage of income (average of all income groups) needed to pay for college expenses (minus financial aid) for a family member to attend a Vermont institution.
37%39% 38%
41% 41%
67%
73%
61%
66% 65%
29%26%
28%30% 31%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
1992 2000 2002 2004 2006Percen
tage of Incom
e (Average of a
ll Income Group
s)
Neede
d to Pay fo
r Co
llege Expen
ses Minus Finan
cial Aid
Year
At VT's Public Four‐Year Institutions At VT's Private Four‐Year InstitutionsAt VT's Community College
Since 2000, Vermont families have spent 26‐73% of their income to pay for each child’s year of enrollment at a Vermont college or university. Vermont’s private four‐year colleges are the most expensive, costing families 66% of their income on average since 2000. Vermont’s Community College is the least expensive costing families as little as 26% of their income on average since 2000. Attendance at one of Vermont’s four‐year public institutions has cost families as much as 41% of their income on average since 2000. While national averages are not available for comparison, data is available in each of these education categories for the “top performing states” – the states which offer the most affordable education. Since 2000, families in top performing states spent 15‐32% of their income to pay for higher education – 32% at four‐year private colleges, 17% at four‐year public colleges, and 16% and community colleges. Sources: National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education, Measuring Up
The Realities of Cost & Debt 13
Chart 4a: Vermont Institutions – Their Fees & Financial Aid
$10,153
$1,799 $574 $1,613 $631 $5,783
$9,642
$11,611
$4,681
$7,960
$5,174
$3,155 $221
$37,570
$18,350
$24,355
$16,790
$12,004
$43,200
$32,180
$49,210
$25,181
$31,940
$19,375
$11,931$8,284
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
$55,000
In‐State Tuition
and
Fees
Financial Aid per Full Time Enrolled Student Annual In‐State Tuition & Fees
Chart 4a: This chart depicts annual in‐state tuition and fees and financial aid offered per full‐time enrolled student at Vermont’s colleges. Institutions offering the highest aid per full‐time enrolled student charge some of the higher tuitions to in‐state students. Note, too, that Vermont students compete with out‐of‐state students for scholarship funds. Sources: IRS (2006) and Institutional Data (2008)
The Realities of Cost & Debt 14
Chart 4b: Vermont Institutions – Their Fees & Financial Aid
The Realities of Cost & Debt 15
23.1% 22.5%
20.0%
18.2%
16.2%
12.9%11.4%
10.6% 10.6%
7.3%6.0%
5.2%3.8%
2.2%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Fina
ncial A
id Offered
as Pe
recentage
of Total In
stitutiona
l Reven
ue
Institutional Financial Aid as % of Total Institutional Revenue
Chart 4b: This chart depicts the financial aid Vermont institutions offer as a percentage of their total revenue in 2006.
Vermont’s independent colleges such as St. Michael’s College, Marlboro College, and Sterling College offer the most institutional financial aid as a percentage of their total institutional revenue.
Sources: IRS (2006) and Institutional Data (2008)
Section Three: The Need for Guidance & Preparation: A Look at the Data
Vermont high school students perform well on most indicators relative to other high school students nationwide.
− Vermont typically ranks among the top ten states for high school graduation rates (see Chart 5).
− On many key benchmarking exams, including the Advanced Placement (AP) exams and the SAT Reasoning Tests, Vermont high school students perform better than their peers. In addition, their test participation rates exceed national averages on both of these exams (see Charts 6 & 7).
− More Vermont ninth graders who go on to attend college finish their programs within six years than students nationwide (see Chart 8).
There are several indicators that suggest that Vermont high school students might not be prepared for college or for the 21st Century jobs that await them.
− The average Vermont SAT Reasoning Test score was nearly 150 points below a nationally‐determined “college ready” score, and Vermont’s average SAT math score lagged behind the U.S. average score from 1998 to 2005 (see Charts 9 & 10).
− 61% percent of Vermont 11th graders were not proficient in writing and 70% were not proficient in math, based on the 2007 New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) exam results. There was also a precipitous decline in NECAP math and writing scores from third to eighth grade to 11th grade in 2007 (See Charts 11a & 11b).
− Given the growing importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees to Vermont’s and the nation’s economy, these indicators suggest that Vermont high school students may not be prepared for college or for the 21st century jobs that await them.
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 16
Aspiration rates and continuation rates are key indicators of postsecondary success.
− Aspiration rates capture the percentage of youth who plan to continue their education beyond high school. Increased numbers of Vermont students are making their decision earlier about postsecondary education (see Chart 12). From 2000 to 2005, there has been a more than doubling in the percentage of students who decided not to continue their schooling after high school (see Chart 12).
− Continuation rates capture the percentage of youth who follow through with their postsecondary education plans. Two datasets – one nationally derived and one state‐derived – reveal differing trends about continuation:
− National data shows that while Vermont’s high school graduation rate is greater than the national
average, the percentage of Vermont high school graduates going directly to college has lagged the national percentage since 1994 (see Chart 13).
− State data reveals that the percentage of Vermont students who aspire to continue their education beyond high school has increased from 52.5% in 1978 to 76.3% in 2008 and that the percentage of Vermont students who have continued their education at a four‐year, two‐year, or one‐year program within six‐months of high school graduation increased from 47.2% in 1978 to 67.5% in 2005 – a much higher continuation rate than the national study (see Chart 14).
One of Vermont’s biggest unmet challenges in preparing students for postsecondary success lies in the need to align high school standards with college readiness expectations.
− Vermont received the nation’s worst rating for aligning high school standards with college readiness. Vermont’s K–12 system has not aligned its standards and assessments with college‐ and career‐ready expectations and does not anticipate doing so in the immediate future.1
− Because of poor alignment between Vermont high schools and Vermont postsecondary institutions, there is a growing need for Vermont institutions to conduct core competency tests and to offer programs like the Community College of Vermont’s Introduction to College Studies.2
1 Achieve Inc. 2 Based on interviews with senior personnel at the University of Vermont, Community College of Vermont, & the Vermont Technical College
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 17
Chart 5: Vermont’s Public High School Graduation Rate Exceeds the Nation’s
VT Public High School Graduation Rate National Public High School Graduation
This chart depicts Vermont’s public high school graduation rate versus the nation’s from 1990‐2006. Over the last 15 years, Vermont’s public high school graduation rate has hovered around 80% and has exceeded the national public graduation rate by an average of 13.5%. As a result, Vermont is typically ranked among the top ten states for high school graduation rates. The public high school graduation rate is determined by dividing the number of Vermont ninth graders by the number of Vermont high public school graduates four years later. Sources: The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, Tom Mortenson, Postsecondary Opportunity
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 18
Chart 6: Vermont High School Students’ Test Scores and Test Participation Rates on the Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Exceed the National Averages
15.00%
17.00%
19.00%
21.00%
23.00%
25.00%
27.00%
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Participation Ra
te
Percen
tage of Stude
nts Earning a Th
ree or
Highe
r on an
AP Exam
During High Scho
ol
Public High School Graduating ClassPercentage of VT Students Earning a Three or Higher
VT AP Exam Participation Rate
Percentage of US Students Earning a Three or Higher
US AP Exam Participation Rate
This chart depicts the percentage of Vermont high school students taking AP exams versus the national average and the percentage of Vermont high school students who earn a three or Higher on the AP exams versus the national average from 2000‐2008. Information on the AP Program & AP Exam Scoring: The AP program is administered by the College Board and measures a secondary student’s mastery of college‐level material. The exams are currently offered in twenty‐two subject areas and are scored on a numeric scale of one to five, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. Many colleges and universities grant college course credit to incoming freshmen who have earned a four or five, and sometimes a score of three, on any of several possible AP exams. (Please refer to the University of Vermont’s AP Course Compatibility Guide for more information.) Information on Vermont’s AP Participation Rates: During 2000‐2008 the percentage of Vermont students taking AP exams was greater than the national average. Notably, AP participation rates are an indicator of success. In fact, the College Board states that 45% of students who have taken one AP course and 61% of students who have taken two or more AP courses complete their bachelor’s degrees in four years or less, while only 29% of students who enroll in colleges without having taken AP complete their bachelor’s degrees on schedule. Information on Vermont’s AP Exam Scores: During 2000‐2008, the percentage of Vermont students scoring a three or higher on AP exams was greater than the national average. Vermont also had the greatest expansion of AP grades three or higher from 2002‐2007. Source: The College Board
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 19
Chart 7: Vermont High School Students’ Test Scores and Test Participation Rates on the SAT Reasoning Math & Reading Tests Exceed National Averages
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
1010
1015
1020
1025
1030
1035
1040
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Participation Ra
te (%
)
SAT Score
Year
Total Average US SAT Score Total Average VT SAT Score
US SAT Participation Rate VT SAT Participation Rate
This chart depicts the percentage of Vermont high school students taking the SAT Reasoning Tests versus the national average and Vermont students’ average combined math and critical reading scores on the SAT versus the national average from 1998‐2007. Information on the SAT Reasoning Tests & SAT Test Scoring: The SAT reasoning test measures students’ verbal reasoning, critical reading, and math problem‐solving skills and is the nation's most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. The SAT has three major sections – writing, critical reading, and mathematics – and each section is scored on a scale of 200‐800 points. A total of 2,400 points is possible. Before 2006, writing was not tested on the SAT, and a maximum of 1,600 points was possible. Information on Vermont’s SAT Participation Rate & Scores: Since 2002, Vermont’s combined math and critical reading SAT scores have exceeded the nation’s average score. Vermont SAT participation rates have also been greater than the national participation rate since 2001. In summary, Vermont has been performing better the than national average with a higher than average percentage of students taking the exam. This finding is significant because in general, higher participation rates are strongly correlated with lower test scores, and Vermont is bucking that trend. Source: The College Board
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 20
Chart 8: A Greater Percentage of Vermont Ninth Graders Who Go on to Attend College Finish Their Program Within Six Years than the National Average
24.10%
21.00%21.40%
22.10%
25.90%
17.40%18.00% 17.90%
18.40%
19.60%
15.00%
18.00%
21.00%
24.00%
27.00%
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Percen
tage
Year
Percentage of VT Ninth Graders who Graduate College Within 150% of Their Program's Time
Percentage of US Ninth Graders who Graduate College Within 150% of Their Program's Time
This chart depicts the percentage of Vermont ninth graders who went on to graduate from college from 1998‐2006 and graduated within 150% of their program’s completion time versus the national rate. According to The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), when Vermont ninth graders attend college, a greater percentage than average finish their program within 150% of their program’s completion time. This has held true from 1998‐2006, despite a drop in Vermont percentages from 1998‐2004. Source: The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 21
Chart 9: Vermont High School Students’ Average SAT Reasoning Test Score Falls Short of a “College Ready” Score
This chart depicts Vermont’s and the nation’s average combined math and critical reading scores on the SAT Reasoning Test versus the “college ready” SAT score (as defined by the College Board) from 1998‐2005.
1000
1020
1040
1060
1080
1100
1120
1140
1160
1180
1200
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
SAT Score
Year
Total Average US SAT Score Total Average VT SAT Score
"College Ready" SAT Score
While on average Vermonters score above the national average on the SAT Reasoning Tests, they also score nearly 150 points below the score that the College Board believes students should achieve to be “college ready.” The College Board maintains that students need to achieve at least 73% of the total possible SAT score (or 1180 out of 1600 points) to be “college‐ready” and have a 65% chance of graduating once enrolling. Neither the national average nor the Vermont average reaches that threshold. Given the overall disappointing levels of student readiness for college on a national basis, it is not enough for Vermonters simply to exceed the national averages. Future comparisons will take into account the 2006 addition of a writing section to the other two SAT components, which has enabled students taking the test in recent years to achieve a maximum score of 2400 instead of 1600. Source: The College Board
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 22
Chart 10: Vermont High School Students’ Reading & Writing SAT Scores Exceed National Averages While Math Scores Have Lagged
490
495
500
505
510
515
520
525
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
SAT Score
Year
VT Average SAT Critical Reading Score US Average SAT Critical Reading Score
VT Average SAT Writing Score US Average SAT Writing Score
VT Average SAT Mathematics Score US Average SAT Mathematics Score
This chart depicts Vermont high school students’ average SAT Reasoning Test scores by subject area versus the national average from 1998‐2007. Vermont high school students’ average math SAT score only began to surpass the national average SAT math score in 2006. Vermont students’ average writing score has been greater than the national average since 2006 – the first year that writing was tested on the SAT. Over this ten year period, the average Vermont critical reading score has exceeded the nation’s average. Source: The College Board
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 23
Chart 11a & 11b: A Majority of Vermont 11th Graders Do Not Achieve Proficiency on NECAP Math & Writing Exams
Chart 11a: This chart depicts Vermont third through eighth grade student performance on the fall 2007 NECAP exam by subject area and score.
11%
19%
53%
17%18% 19%
44%
19%20%
32%35%
13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
"Substantially Below Proficient"
"Partially Proficient" "Proficient" "Distinction"
Percen
tage of V
ermon
t Third
through Eighth Grade
rs
Score on Fall 2007 NECAP Exam
Reading Math Writing
Chart 11b: This chart depicts Vermont 11th grade student performance on the fall 2007 NECAP exam by subject area and score.
12%
20%
48%
20%
42%
28% 28%
2%15%
46%
35%
4%0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
"Substantially Below Proficient"
"Partially Proficient" "Proficient" "Distinction"
Percen
tage of V
ermon
t 11t
h
Grade
rs
Score on Fall 2007 NECAP Exam
Reading Math Writing
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 24
Information on the NECAP Exams & NECAP Scoring: Vermont students have been participating in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) since 2005. According to the Vermont Department of Education, the NECAP exams are administered annually in October and measure students’ academic knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics and science relative to the Grade Expectations for Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. The test results reflect the knowledge and skills that proficient students should have mastered by the end of the previous school year. Students in grades five, eight, and 11 are tested in all subject areas, while students in grades three, four, six, and seven are tested in reading and mathematics only. Because there are so many small schools in Vermont, third through eighth grade NECAP scores are lumped together to protect the privacy of students. NECAP grade 11 assessments were administered for the first time in October 2007. Historically the scores from the first year a test is offered are significantly worse than the scores in subsequent years. This is because in an exam’s first year administrators and teachers are less familiar with test content and format and thus cannot adequately support students in preparing for the exam. Information on 2007 NECAP Exam Results: In 2007, a majority of Vermont third through eighth graders were proficient or better in reading and math (70% and 63%, respectively). Forty‐eight percent of these students were proficient or better in writing. That same year, 68% of Vermont 11th graders were proficient or better in reading, but only 30% and 39% were proficient or better in math and writing, respectively. According to the Vermont Department of Education the drop‐off in math and writing scores between third through eighth grade and 11th grade is occurring somewhere between eighth and 11th grade. Notably, Vermont 11th graders performed similarly to their New Hampshire peers except in writing where they outperformed them (39% of Vermont students received a score of “proficient” or “with distinction,” while 33% of New Hampshire students did). Source: The Vermont Department of Education
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 25
Chart 12: Increased Numbers of Vermont Students Are Making Their Decision Earlier About Postsecondary Education
83.70% 82.20% 83.90% 82.80% 84.60%88.00% 88.50%
55.10% 53.40%56.10% 54.60%
61.30%
78.00% 75.40%
19.60% 19.70%22.50%
25.30%
36.90% 38.10% 40.70%
15.00%
25.00%
35.00%
45.00%
55.00%
65.00%
75.00%
85.00%
95.00%
1994 1997 1999 2000 2001 2003 2005
Percen
tage of H
igh Scho
ol Sen
iors
YearDecided Before 11th Grade to Continue Education After High School
Decided in Seventh Grade or Earlier to Continue Education After High School
Decided Before 11th grade NOT to Continue Education After High School
This chart depicts survey results from Vermont high school seniors from 1994‐2005 and tracks the school year in which they decided to continue or not to continue their education immediately after high school Since 1994 a majority of Vermont students who decided not to pursue their education after high school made their decision in 11th or 12th grade. Starting in 2000, however, there was a marked increased in the number of students who began making that decision earlier. From 1994‐2005, more than 80% of students who decided to continue their education post‐high school made their decision before 11th grade, and more than half had decided by seventh grade. This trend became even more pronounced post‐2003, when upwards of 70% of students made their decision by seventh grade.
Of special concern is the more than doubling during this period of students who decided not to continue their schooling after high school. In fact, 40% of career‐bound students in the Vermont high school class of 2005 said that they did not plan to pursue some form of postsecondary education in the future. When asked why they did not plan to continue their education immediately after high school, 24% of the respondents from the Vermont high school class of 2005 said they “need[ed] a break from school,” and 29% cited the combined reasons of “affordability” and “the desire or the need to be self‐supporting.” These reasons have not changed with time. A majority of these students stated that they want to continue their education eventually. They will need expanded access to education and training to be prepared for the fastest growing and/or high paying occupations in state.
Source: The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 26
Chart 13: The Percentage of Vermont High School Graduates Going Directly to College Has Been Lower Than the National Percentage Since 1994
55.80%
50.60%47.20%
49.80%
45.30% 45.40% 43.40%
55.20%54.30%
57.10%58.50%
57.20% 56.70% 56.60% 55.70%
61.60%
40.00%
45.00%
50.00%
55.00%
60.00%
65.00%
1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Percen
tage
Year
70.00%
Percentage of VT High School Graduates Going Directly to CollegePercentage of US High School Graduates Going Directly to College
This chart depicts the percentage of Vermont high school graduates going directly to college versus the national percentage from 1992‐2006.
Continuation rates capture the percentage of youth who follow through with their postsecondary education plans. Two datasets – one nationally derived and one state‐derived – reveal differing trends around continuation: National data shows that while Vermont’s high school graduation rate is greater than the national average the percentage of Vermont high school graduates going directly to college has lagged the national percentage since 1994 (see above). For state data see Chart 14. While, Vermont’s high school graduation rate significantly exceeds the nation’s, nationally‐derived data from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) shows that the percentage of Vermont high school graduates going directly to college has fallen below the national percentage since 1992. From 2004‐2006, there was a ten percent increase in the number of Vermont high school graduates going directly to college, but that percentage fell short of Vermont’s 1992‐level. Data also shows a drop in college continuation rates from 1992 to 2004. Information on Nationally‐Derived Vermont Continuation Rates: Interestingly, the NCHEMS continuation rate and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) continuation rates differ substantially ‐‐ sometimes by more than ten percent (see Chart 14 for comparison). Reasons for this difference could include the fact that the NCHEMS continuation rate and the VSAC continuation rate do not use the same data to derive their respective rates and use different definitions of “postsecondary education.” Indeed, the NCHEMS continuation rate represents students who graduate high school and attend degree‐granting institutions in the United States, while the VSAC continuation rate represents students who graduate high school and pursue any postsecondary education option including universities; business, trade, and vocational/technical schools; programs that grant certificates; and programs outside of the United States. A second difference is that the VSAC data is self‐reporting, while the NCHEMS data comes from information that United States government collects bi‐annually from degree‐granting institutions. Because of these differences, these two measures may not be comparable. Source: The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 27
Chart 14: A Majority of Vermont High School Graduates Who Aspire to Continue Their Education Follow Through on Those Plans
This chart depicts the percentage of Vermont high school seniors from 1978‐2008 who planned to continue their education at four‐year, two‐year, and one‐year postsecondary education programs after graduation and the percentage of those students who actually followed through on those plans.
Continuation rates capture the percentage of youth who follow through with their postsecondary education plans. Two datasets – one nationally derived and one state‐derived – reveal differing trends around continuation: State data reveals that the percentage of Vermont students who aspire to continue their education beyond high school has increased from 52.5% in 1978 to 76.3% in 2008 and that the percentage of Vermont students who have continued their education at a four‐year, two‐year, or one‐year program within six‐months of high school graduation increased from 47.2% in 1978 to 67.5% in 2005 ‐‐ a much higher continuation rate than the national study (see Chart 13). Data gathered by The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) reveals that the percentage of Vermont students who have aspired to further their education at a four‐year, two‐year, or year‐year program within six‐months of high school graduation increased from 52.5% in 1978 to 76.3% in 2008 (the highest recorded percentage to date). State‐derived data shows that the percentage of Vermont students who have continued their education at a four‐year, two‐year, or one‐year program within six‐months of high school graduation increased from 47.2% in 1978 to 67.5% in 2005. Please note that nationally‐derived data shows that the percent of Vermont students who continued their education at a degree‐granting institution immediately upon graduation dropped from 55.8% in 1992 to 43.40% in 2004 and that the Vermont rate significantly lagged the national rate during that period (see Chart 13). Information on State‐Derived Vermont aspiration and continuation rates: Since 1978, the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) has surveyed Vermont high school seniors about their education plans post‐graduation. The survey occurs in two phases. The first phase is designed to determine students’ postsecondary plans and is conducted during the spring semester of senior year. An 80% response rate is typical. The second phase of the survey is designed to determine students’ actual activities post‐high school graduation and is conducted one year after the initial survey. In general about two‐thirds of the initial respondents participate in the second survey. Notably, the VSAC survey takes into account all postsecondary education options including universities; business, trade, and vocational/technical schools; schools outside of the United States; and programs that offer certificates. Source: The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
The Need for Guidance & Preparation 28
Section Four: Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students
A majority of Vermont students leave the state for college.
− Each year approximately 55% of Vermont students attend out‐of‐state colleges. Massachusetts and New York are frequent destinations (see Chart 15).
− In 2004 – the only year in which comparative data is available – 43% of Vermont students stayed in‐state for college. Meanwhile, nationally, about 80% of students stayed in their home state for school.1
− When students in the class of 2005 were asked why they wanted to attend an out‐of‐state school, the most important reason cited was, “I want to experience a different environment.” Other reasons offered were “my [out‐of‐state] institution has a better academic reputation”; “[a Vermont] school is not in the right location for me”; and “my major is not offered [at a Vermont institution]” (See Table G).
Those Vermont students who attend college in‐state are most likely to attend a Vermont State College.
− In 2005 and 2000, a majority of Vermont students who attended college in‐state enrolled at a Vermont State College (21.5% and 18.0% percent, respectively). Those colleges include the Community College of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, Castleton State College, Johnson State College, and Lyndon State College (See Chart 16).
− In 2007, the schools with the greatest percentage of Vermont residents included the Community College of Vermont (94% of their student body) and the Vermont State Colleges (74% of their student body, on average). (See Table H.)
− Over the last ten years, Vermont’s public four‐year colleges enrolled a greater percentage of Vermont freshmen than Vermont’s private four‐year colleges (40% on average versus 17% on average). (See Charts 17a & 17b.)
1 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Emerging Policy Triangle: Economic Development, Workforce Development, and Education, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, November 2004
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 29
Chart 15: Each Year Approximately 55% of Vermont Students Attend Out‐Of‐State Colleges
46.2% 46.4%40.4% 42.9% 43.3% 43.3%
3.4% 3.1%
3.8%3.6% 4.1% 3.8%
11.3% 11.8%
13.4% 10.4% 10.1% 11.1%
7.4% 6.3%6.6% 7.7% 7.2% 6.8%
12.6% 10.9%14.2% 12.8% 13.1% 13.4%
2.5%2.7% 3.1% 2.7% 2.9% 2.3%
16.5% 18.8% 18.6% 19.9% 19.3% 19.3%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Percen
tage of Stude
nts
YearIn‐state ME MA NH NY PA OtherStates Where Vermont Students Attended College:
This chart depicts the states where Vermont’s first‐time college freshmen went to school to receive a degree from 1996‐2006.
Over this period, an average of 56% of Vermont students left the state each year for school. New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire were the top three destinations. While the percentage of students staying in Vermont and leaving Vermont remained relatively consistent from 1996‐2006, though a smaller percentage of Vermont students is staying in state for school today than stayed ten years ago.
Sources: Postsecondary Opportunity, Tom Mortenson
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 30
Table G: The Reasons for Not Attending a Vermont Institution Cited by Vermont High School Students in the Class of 2005
Reason Student Cited for Not Attending:
Percentage of Students Who Cited Reason for Not Attending Vermont Institution
University of Vermont
Vermont State Colleges
Other Vermont Institutions
I want to experience a different environment 20.9% 24.1% 33.8%My out‐of‐state institution has a better academic reputation
12.2% 28.1% 15.4%
My major is not offered 15.6% 13.5% 13.0%The school is not in the right location for me 13.0% 15.5% 17.3%The size of the school is not right for me 10.7% 4.2% 3.4%The cost of attendance is too high 7.1% 1.8% 3.5%I was not accepted 7.0% 3.0% 5.3%I received more financial aid at my out‐of‐state institution
2.3% 1.4% 1.4%
Other 11.2% 8.4% 6.8%Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
This table lists the different reasons Vermont students in the high school class of 2005 cited for not attending a Vermont institution and the percentage of those students who cited those reasons. The number one reason Vermont residents cited for not attending the University of Vermont or other Vermont institutions was to “experience a different environment” (20.9% of respondents and 33.8% of respondents, respectively). In the case of the Vermont State Colleges, students who chose not to attend said their school of choice “ha[d] a better academic reputation” (28.1%) followed closely by “I want to experience a different environment” (24.1%). The least frequently cited reason for not attending a Vermont Institutions was, “I received more financial aid at my out‐of‐state institution” Source: The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 31
Chart 16: Where Vermont Students Enrolled in College in 1990, 2000, & 2005
46.0%
58.4%53.5%
16.2%
11.7%13.5%
17.2%
18.0% 21.5%
20.6% 11.9% 11.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
1990 2000 2005
Percen
tage of C
ollege‐Bou
nd Stude
nts
Year
Out‐of‐State Institutions University of Vermont
Vermont State Colleges Vermont Independent Colleges/Other
This chart depicts the type and location of colleges that Vermont students attended upon high school graduation in 1990, 2000, and 2005.
In 2000 and 2005, a majority of Vermont students attending college in‐state upon high school graduation enrolled at a Vermont State College (Vermont State Colleges include Castleton State College, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, the Community College of Vermont, and Vermont Technical College). The percentage of students attending the University of Vermont or an Independent College during these same years was roughly equivalent. Today, fewer Vermont residents are attending state colleges than they did one decade ago. Indeed, in 1990, a majority of students stayed in‐state for school, and most of those students staying in state attended a Vermont Independent College.
Source: The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 32
Table H: Enrollment at Vermont’s Degree‐Granting Institutions
Institution Type of Institution
Number of VT Residents Attending (2007‐2008)
Percentage of Student Body Composed of VT Residents (2007‐2008)
Annual In‐ State Tuition and Fees (2008‐2009)
Two‐Year Community College of Vermont (CCV)
Community College
5260 94% $6,000
New England Culinary Institute (NECI)
Independent 120 19% $26,582
Four‐Year+ Burlington College Independent 111 62% $18,350
Bennington College Independent 33 5% $37,570Castleton State College VSC 1,471 69% $8,284Champlain College Independent 1,299 47% $24,355College of St. Joseph Independent 290 66% $16,790Goddard College Independent 80 12% $12,004Green Mountain College Independent 124 15% $25,838Johnson State College VSC 1,471 79% $8,184Landmark College Independent 17 4% $43,200
Lyndon State College VSC 863 61% $7,684Marlboro College Independent 59 16% $32,180Middlebury College Independent 159 6% $49,210Norwich University Independent 495 14% $25,181Saint Michael's College Independent 828 34% $31,940Southern Vermont College Independent 174 42% $19,025Sterling College Independent 17 16% $19,375University of Vermont Public College 4,955 40% $11,931
Vermont Technical College VSC 1,363 88% $9,984Post‐Graduate School for International Training
132 21% $34,050
Vermont Law School 73 12% $38,833Total Enrollment 19,394
Vermont institutions attract a high number of out‐of‐state students, especially the University of Vermont and Vermont’s independent colleges. In 2007, 60% of the UVM student body came from out of state. That same year an average of 75% of the student body at Vermont’s independent colleges came from out‐of‐state (highlighted in green). Notably, some of Vermont’s independent colleges enroll a majority of Vermont students. For example, in 2007, more than 60% the students attending the College of St. Joseph and Burlington College came from Vermont. The schools with the greatest percentage of Vermont residents enrolled were the Community College of Vermont (94% of their student body) and the Vermont State Colleges (an average of 74% of their student body).
VSC = Vermont State College Sources: Attendance Figures from the Vermont Supplemental Data Center, Fall 2007 Enrollment Report. 2008‐2009 tuition and fees from institutional websites, Vermont Higher Education Council
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 33
Chart 17 a & b: Vermont’s Public Four‐Year Colleges Enroll a Greater Percentage of Vermont’s First‐Time Freshmen than Vermont’s Private Four‐Year Colleges
Chart 17a depicts Vermont’s first‐time freshmen enrollment at Vermont’s PUBLIC four‐year colleges and the percentage of that enrollment made up of in‐state students and out‐of‐state students from 1996‐2006.
42% 43% 36% 41% 39% 39%
58% 57%64%
59% 61% 61%
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Num
ber of Stude
nts En
rolled
Percen
tage
YearPercentage of Students from VT Percentage of Students from out‐of‐state Total Enrollment
Chart 17b depicts Vermont’s first‐time freshmen enrollment at Vermont’s PRIVATE four‐year colleges and the percentage of that enrollment made up of in‐state students versus out‐of‐state students from 1996‐2006.
16% 19% 20% 18% 17% 14%
84% 81% 80%82% 83% 86%
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 Num
ber of Stude
nts En
rolled
Percen
tage
YearPercentage of Students from VT Percentage of Students from out‐of‐state Total Enrollment
Over this period, Vermont’s public four‐year colleges enrolled a little more than 2,800 first‐time freshmen each year, of which approximately 40% came from Vermont. Comparatively, Vermont’s private four‐year colleges enrolled a little more than 2,400 first‐time freshmen each year, of which 17% came from Vermont.
Sources: Postsecondary Opportunity, Tom Mortenson
Good to Know – Educational Options for Vermont Students 34
