Vermont is the second least-populous state in the country — roughly 650,000 residents spread across a mountainous, rural landscape with a handful of small cities and many communities that depend on critical access hospitals and rural health clinics for care. That scale shapes its nursing education ecosystem: there are fewer programs here than in larger states, but the ones that exist are well-regarded, and Vermont’s compact license membership means graduates have broad interstate practice flexibility from day one. Vermont joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2022, adding to a labor market that already attracted nurses from across New England due to University of Vermont Medical Center’s regional reputation. Here is what prospective nursing students need to know about programs, costs, licensing, and careers in Vermont.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Program types available | LPN, ADN, BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP |
| Average tuition range (in-state) | $14,000–$45,000 depending on program type and institution |
| NLC compact status | Compact member since February 1, 2022 |
| State board of nursing | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, Nursing — 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620 |
| Primary nursing accreditors | CCNE, ACEN |
NLC compact membership
Vermont implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on February 1, 2022, following legislation signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 7, 2021. Vermont is a full NLC member, administered nationally by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). RNs and LPNs who hold unencumbered Vermont licenses and maintain Vermont as their primary state of residence can practice in all current NLC member states — more than 40 jurisdictions — without obtaining additional state licenses.
Vermont’s compact membership is particularly relevant given its geography: New Hampshire (also compact) borders Vermont to the east, and nurses in the Upper Valley region routinely cross the Connecticut River to work at Dartmouth Health facilities. New York, which borders Vermont to the west, is not a compact member, so nurses working across that line still require a New York license. Massachusetts is also not compact. Vermont’s compact privilege works best for nurses oriented toward New Hampshire, Maine, and other New England and mid-Atlantic compact states.
A multistate license does not lower the bar for initial licensure. Applicants must still complete an approved nursing education program, pass the NCLEX, and meet all Vermont Office of Professional Regulation requirements.
For a full overview of how compact licensure works across states, see our nursing license by state guide.
Types of nursing programs available
Vermont has a small but accredited set of nursing programs, concentrated at the University of Vermont in Burlington and Vermont State University. The state does not have a large community college ADN network, so students seeking the lowest-cost entry point have fewer options than in larger states.
| Program type | Typical length | Estimated total cost (in-state) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPN certificate | 12–18 months | $8,000–$15,000 | Vermont State University and vocational programs |
| ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) | 2 years | $25,000–$35,000 | Vermont State University (formerly VTC) |
| BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) | 4 years | $50,000–$80,000 | UVM, Castleton, Norwich; higher cost due to smaller state infrastructure |
| Accelerated BSN | 12–16 months | $40,000–$65,000 | Castleton University; for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree |
| RN-to-BSN bridge | 12–18 months | $15,000–$25,000 | Vermont State University; online-flexible |
| MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) | 2–3 years post-BSN | $30,000–$55,000 | UVM, Norwich |
| DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) | 3–4 years post-BSN | $50,000–$80,000 | UVM |
Vermont’s nursing program landscape is smaller than neighboring states. Students who want the most affordable ADN pathway should evaluate Vermont State University’s programs carefully — and note that Norwich and Castleton, while private, offer scheduling flexibility that may suit working students. For an explanation of the ADN vs BSN decision, see our ADN degree guide.
Nursing programs in Vermont
University of Vermont (Burlington)
UVM’s Department of Nursing is the state’s flagship nursing program. The BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are all CCNE-accredited. The 124-credit BSN requires 594 hours of supervised clinical instruction, with placements at UVM Medical Center — the only academic medical center in Vermont and the primary tertiary care facility for Vermont, northern New York, and parts of New Hampshire. UVM’s graduate programs include NP specializations in family, adult-gerontology, neonatal, and psychiatric-mental health practice, plus nursing education and leadership tracks.
UVM Medical Center’s status as a Level I trauma center and a major regional referral hospital means BSN students here get clinical exposure to case complexity that most small-state nursing programs cannot replicate. In-state tuition runs approximately $18,890 per year for undergraduates, making UVM one of the more expensive state flagship schools in the country for Vermont residents — but the clinical environment and CCNE accreditation justify the premium for students targeting specialty or graduate nursing careers.
Vermont State University (Castleton and online)
Vermont State University (VTSU), formed through the merger of Vermont’s state college system including the former Vermont Technical College, offers an ADN program, an LPN certificate, and an RN-to-BSN bridge. The ADN is a 70-credit program, ACEN-accredited, with a career-ladder philosophy that allows students to progress from LPN to ADN to BSN within the same institution. VTSU’s annual tuition is substantially lower than UVM — approximately $14,000 per year for undergraduate students — and over 80% of students receive some form of financial aid.
The RN-to-BSN at VTSU is online-flexible and designed for working nurses, making it a practical option for ADN-prepared RNs already employed in Vermont’s hospital and long-term care sector.
Castleton University (Castleton)
Castleton offers three nursing pathways: a four-year BSN, a three-year accelerated BSN, and a two-year online RN-to-BSN. All are ACEN-accredited. Castleton’s location in southwestern Vermont gives students access to clinical sites in Rutland and the Champlain Valley. The accelerated three-year BSN is particularly appealing to students who want to reach RN licensure faster without committing to a 16-month ABSN post-baccalaureate program.
Norwich University (Northfield)
Norwich offers a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, an online BSN, and an MSN — all CCNE-accredited. Norwich’s military-affiliated culture and structured academic environment attract a specific student profile. The accelerated BSN condenses the degree significantly for students who already hold a bachelor’s in another field. Graduate programs include NP and nursing leadership tracks delivered largely online.
Admission requirements
Vermont State University ADN programs typically require a minimum 2.5 GPA on prerequisite science courses — anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology, statistics. VTSU uses competitive admission with a points-based rubric that weighs GPA, TEAS scores, and healthcare work experience. Applicants with CNA or healthcare aide experience have an advantage.
UVM BSN admission is moderately selective. The program expects a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for the nursing major application, with competitive applicants presenting 3.3 or above on science prerequisites. UVM also evaluates extracurricular healthcare involvement and personal essays. The program admits a relatively small cohort — typically 60–70 students per year — making it meaningfully competitive.
Graduate programs at UVM require an active RN license, a BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program, a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA, and a professional goal statement. Some NP tracks have specific clinical hour requirements in the target specialty.
For a complete picture of what programs look for, see our nursing school GPA requirements guide and nursing school prerequisites guide.
Nursing school cost in Vermont
Vermont nursing education costs tend to run higher than the national average for public universities, reflecting the state’s small size and limited public university infrastructure. UVM, despite being a public institution, charges in-state tuition of approximately $18,890 per year — among the higher rates for state flagships in the Northeast. Total cost of attendance including housing in Burlington runs $38,000–$42,000 per year for Vermont residents.
Vermont State University is the more affordable public option. Annual tuition of approximately $14,000 for in-state students makes the VTSU ADN program accessible at roughly $25,000–$35,000 total, including fees and supplies.
Private institutions — Norwich and Castleton — have tuition in the $45,000–$55,000 per year range before scholarships. Both offer merit aid, and Castleton in particular positions its accelerated BSN as a time-to-licensure investment.
Federal FAFSA-based aid, UVM’s institutional grant programs, and Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) grants are the primary financing mechanisms available to Vermont nursing students. UVM reports that approximately 91% of undergraduates receive some form of scholarships or financial aid. For a structured approach to financing your education, see our nursing school FAFSA guide.
RN salary in Vermont
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for 2024, the mean annual wage for registered nurses in Vermont is approximately $88,380 — below the national mean of $93,600 but above many other New England states. The Burlington–South Burlington metropolitan area, anchored by UVM Medical Center, offers the highest RN salaries in the state. Experienced nurses in specialty roles at UVM Medical Center earn toward or above the national mean.
Vermont’s relatively small RN workforce — approximately 3,060 nurses employed statewide — means each position matters, and healthcare systems actively compete for experienced staff. The University of Vermont Medical Center is the dominant healthcare employer in the state, followed by a network of rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and long-term care facilities.
| Role | Setting | Estimated annual salary (Vermont) |
|---|---|---|
| New graduate RN | Hospital, med-surg | $62,000–$70,000 |
| Experienced RN (3–5 years) | Hospital, specialty | $78,000–$92,000 |
| ICU / ED RN | Acute care | $85,000–$100,000 |
| Travel RN (Vermont contract) | Various | $80,000–$110,000 (all-in) |
| NP (Family) | Primary care / rural health | $105,000–$130,000 |
| LPN | Long-term care, clinic | $44,000–$54,000 |
Vermont’s rural healthcare infrastructure creates persistent demand for nurses outside Burlington. Facilities in the Northeast Kingdom — the state’s most rural region — and in communities without nearby hospital access frequently offer competitive packages to attract staff. Nurses willing to work outside Burlington will find a market that values their availability.
NCLEX pass rates
Vermont’s small nursing program landscape means state-level NCLEX data is heavily influenced by UVM’s performance. UVM’s CCNE-accredited BSN program consistently posts first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates at or above the national average, which has ranged from 80–85% in recent years for first-time candidates. Vermont State University’s ADN program also performs competitively, with cohort sizes small enough that a single year’s results can vary significantly.
NCSBN publishes annual pass rate data by program and state on its website. When evaluating any Vermont program, request three-year rolling averages and ask how the program’s rates held up through the 2023 NGN (Next Generation NCLEX) transition, which caused pass rate dips across many programs nationally. For context on how to interpret these numbers, see our NCLEX pass rates by state guide.
Career outlook
Vermont’s nursing job market is stable and demand-driven. The state has an aging population — Vermont has one of the oldest median ages in the country — generating sustained need for geriatric, home health, and long-term care nursing. Rural healthcare access gaps create persistent shortages in outlying communities. UVM Medical Center, as the state’s only Level I trauma center and academic medical center, drives demand for specialty nurses in Burlington, while critical access hospitals in places like Newport, Morrisville, and St. Johnsbury struggle to maintain staffing.
Vermont’s compact membership, in place since 2022, has modestly improved nurse recruitment by making interstate movement easier — nurses from compact-state backgrounds can work in Vermont without a separate licensure application. That flexibility also works in reverse: Vermont nurses can pursue contracts in New Hampshire, Maine, and other compact states.
For nurses interested in rural shortage areas, Vermont has Health Professional Shortage Areas that qualify for NHSC loan repayment. Rural nursing in Vermont can mean meaningful work in communities with deep healthcare access gaps — and the financial tools to make it viable.
For admission strategy guidance, see our nursing school acceptance rates guide and how to get into nursing school with a low GPA.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vermont an NLC compact state?
Yes. Vermont implemented the Nurse Licensure Compact on February 1, 2022, after Governor Phil Scott signed the legislation in June 2021. RNs and LPNs with unencumbered Vermont licenses who maintain Vermont as their primary state of residence have multistate practice privileges across all current NLC member states.
Which nursing school in Vermont has the best NCLEX pass rates?
UVM’s CCNE-accredited BSN program consistently posts first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates at or above the national benchmark. Vermont State University’s ADN program also performs well. Always ask programs for three-year rolling averages rather than relying on a single year’s figure.
How long does it take to become an RN in Vermont?
Vermont State University’s ADN takes approximately two years after prerequisites. A traditional BSN at UVM, Castleton, or Norwich takes four years. Castleton’s accelerated three-year BSN condenses the timeline. Accelerated post-baccalaureate BSN programs run 12–16 months for students who already hold a degree in another field.
What is the average RN salary in Vermont?
BLS OEWS 2024 data puts the mean annual wage for registered nurses in Vermont at approximately $88,380 — below the national mean of $93,600. Burlington-area positions at UVM Medical Center are the highest-paying in the state. Rural and critical access hospital positions may include signing bonuses and loan repayment that improve total compensation.