Nursing in Vermont

Nursing schools in Vermont are limited in number and primarily located in or near population centers such as Burlington, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury. The state currently has about five main nursing schools, including ADN, BSN, and LPN pathways, with community colleges and private colleges offering most options. 

Vermont’s NCLEX pass rates have been steadily improving, with the state average at 87.1% in 2025-26, ranging between 82.6% and 93.7% depending on the school. Public institutions such as Vermont Technical College and the University of Vermont tend to show stronger pass outcomes compared to smaller, for-profit programs, which sometimes report rates near the lower end of the range. Program quality affects success, and students should review individual school pass rates carefully. The state’s small number of programs and the absence of for-profit chains help maintain stable quality, but regional access issues remain a concern for workforce development.

The nurse licensing landscape is notable because Vermont is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This means you must apply for a Vermont license independent of your home state and cannot automatically practice across state lines. Although Vermont borders states in the compact like New Hampshire and Massachusetts, nurses must secure separate licenses to work in these states. With ongoing nursing shortages regionally, multi-state licensure flexibility remains limited for Vermont nurses.

The nursing job market in Vermont is marked by moderate demand and some competition, especially in urban centers. There are approximately 7,260 registered nurse positions statewide. Salaries for RNs average about $88,380 but vary widely from $65,390 in rural areas to over $110,000 in specialized or hospital roles in larger towns. The cost of living in Vermont is above the national average, driven by housing prices and winter heating costs, so wages do not always stretch far, especially outside of hospital systems like the University of Vermont Health Network and Central Vermont Medical Center.

Tuition costs reflect a mix of community college affordability and private school premiums. LPN programs at community colleges can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year. ADN programs often cost between $8,000 and $15,000 annually, while BSN programs, especially those at private institutions, may run upwards of $20,000 to $30,000 per year.