“A Catholic liberal arts college on a 440-acre Vermont campus near Burlington and Lake Champlain — globally diverse with students from 30+ countries.”
Saint Michael's College (SMC, often called St. Mike's) is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund. Located on a 440-acre campus in Colchester, Vermont — just minutes from Burlington and the shores of Lake Champlain with views of the Adirondack Mountains — Saint Michael's combines its Catholic Edmundite tradition of social justice and intellectual rigor with a commitment to service learning, environmental stewardship, and global engagement. With approximately 1,120 undergraduates, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a campus consistently rated among the best in New England for outdoor recreation and quality of life, SMC offers a personally engaged and place-rooted liberal arts education. SMC offers 36 undergraduate majors plus graduate and continuing education programs across the liberal arts, sciences, business, and education. The college's academic identity is shaped by its Catholic Edmundite mission emphasizing learning, faith, and social justice, with strong programs in business, biology, education, environmental studies, psychology, and religious studies. The student population is notably international with students from more than 30 countries. The college is known for outstanding study abroad participation, MOVE (Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts) community service program, and integration with Vermont's progressive political and environmental ecosystem. Campus life at Saint Michael's reflects its Vermont setting and Catholic identity. The Purple Knights compete in NCAA Division II athletics — one of the few LACs at the D-II level — through the Northeast-10 Conference. Students live on campus in residence halls and apartments, with extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation including the Adventure Sports program offering equipment rentals for skiing, hiking, kayaking, and more in nearby Adirondack and Green Mountain ranges. The Burlington area provides cultural and career access while Vermont's natural beauty defines daily campus life. With 63% of first-year students receiving need-based aid and a strong commitment to transformative liberal arts education, Saint Michael's offers a distinctive blend of Catholic intellectual tradition, environmental ethic, and Vermont quality of life.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding commitment to attend if admitted
Early Action
Non-binding; priority review
Regular Decision
Standard application timeline
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$52,550
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Strong programs in biology, chemistry, and environmental science with field opportunities in Vermont's pristine ecosystems.
Practical business education with strong placement in Vermont and Northeast employers.
Programs in literature, history, philosophy, and religious studies grounded in the Catholic Edmundite intellectual tradition.
Programs examining politics, society, and behavior with strong civic engagement focus.
Teacher preparation and communication studies with K-12 licensure pathways.
4 years
Field-intensive program leveraging Vermont's pristine ecosystems including Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks (visible across the lake).
4 years
Comprehensive business education with strong placement in Burlington-area employers and the broader New England corridor.
4 years
Distinctive student-led service learning program reflecting the Edmundite social justice tradition; among the most active LAC service programs.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $51,450
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
