Northern Vermont University vs Colby-Sawyer College
Northern Vermont University (NVU) and Colby-Sawyer College are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. NVU, with its two campuses in Johnson and Lyndon, is a public university with a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including graduate degrees. Colby-Sawyer, a private liberal arts college located in New London, New Hampshire, offers a more intimate learning environment with a focus on undergraduate education. While both institutions boast strong academic reputations, NVU has a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while Colby-Sawyer has a higher graduation rate and a more selective admissions process. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Colby-Sawyer College |
![]() Northern Vermont University |
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Overview |
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Location | New London, New Hampshire | Johnson, Vermont |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 57.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 93.1% | 75.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 1,847 | 3,954 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,719 | 2,981 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 256 | 263 |
Yield rate | 14.9% | 8.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,334 |
In state:
$27,598
Out of state:
$41,686
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Average net price | $26,781 | $17,086 |
Tuition | $45,454 |
In state:
$11,592
Out of state:
$25,680
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Room & board | $15,891 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,312
Meal plan:
$4,732
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $36,396 |
98.0%
Average amount $10,938 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
82.0%
Average amount $5,277 |
70.0%
Average amount $4,880 |
Students taking out private loans |
18.0%
Average amount $15,243 |
20.0%
Average amount $11,045 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
788
Men 28.3% Women 71.7% |
1,495
Men 38.5% Women 61.5% |
Graduate students |
50
Men 20.0% Women 80.0% |
251
Men 23.9% Women 76.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 56.7% | 47.7% |
International students | 1.7% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 936 | 1,350 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Maine Connecticut | Vermont Connecticut New Hampshire New York California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 64.6% | 38.4% |
Dropout rate | 34.7% | 24.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 35.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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