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Middlebury College

Middlebury, VT

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Scientia et Virtus (Latin)(Knowledge and Virtue)

1800
Founded
Private liberal arts college
Type
2,785
Total Students
2,773
Undergrad
$1.7B
Endowment
(2025)
$65K
Tuition (In-State)
$65K
Tuition (Out-State)
$26K
Avg Net Price
10%
Acceptance Rate
93%
Graduation Rate
6-year
94%
Retention Rate
Baccalaureate Colleges
Classification
President: Ian Baucom

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Middlebury College

Middlebury: Vermont's pioneering liberal arts gem, fostering global citizens.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Middlebury, Vermont, Middlebury College stands as a beacon of liberal arts education with a rich history and a forward-thinking global outlook. Founded in 1800, it holds the distinction of being the first operating college in Vermont, setting a precedent for academic excellence and innovation. Known for its rigorous arts and humanities programs, Middlebury offers 45 majors, alongside joint engineering opportunities, all within a vibrant and engaging rural campus environment.

Middlebury's historical significance is profound, marked by its early commitment to inclusivity. It was one of the first formerly all-male liberal arts colleges in New England to become coeducational in 1883, and its alumni roster includes groundbreaking figures like Alexander Twilight, the first black graduate of any U.S. college (1823), and Lemuel Haynes, who received the first advanced degree ever bestowed upon an African American (1804). The college continued its pioneering spirit by establishing the first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the U.S. in 1965.

Academically, Middlebury offers a distinctive student experience. Beyond its undergraduate programs, the college is globally renowned for its immersive Middlebury College Language Schools, offering intensive summer programs in ten languages. Its academic reach extends further with the prestigious Bread Loaf School of English and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, providing specialized graduate education. Through the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad, students can engage in transformative international programs at 38 sites across the globe, truly embodying its motto, "Scientia et Virtus" – Knowledge and Virtue.

Student life at Middlebury is dynamic, supported by a close-knit community and a passion for engagement. The Middlebury Panthers, with their 31 varsity teams, compete fiercely in the NCAA Division III's New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and spirit.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1800, Middlebury College was the first operating college or university in Vermont.
  • Pioneered coeducation in New England, accepting women as students in 1883.
  • Home to the first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the U.S., founded in 1965.
  • Offers 45 majors in the arts and humanities, along with joint engineering programs.
  • Renowned for its Middlebury College Language Schools and C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad, offering programs at 38 global sites.
  • An endowment of approximately $1.73 billion (as of 2025).
  • Alexander Twilight, Class of 1823, was the first black graduate of any college or university in the United States.

Timeline

1800
Middlebury College chartered and began classes, becoming Vermont's first operating college.
1804
Granted Lemuel Haynes an honorary master's degree, the first advanced degree ever bestowed upon an African American.
1823
Alexander Twilight became the first black graduate of any college or university in the United States.
1883
Trustees voted to accept women as students, making Middlebury coeducational.
1915
The German Language School founded, beginning the tradition of the Middlebury College Language Schools.
1920
The Bread Loaf School of English was established.
1949
The C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad began with its first school in Paris.
1965
Established the first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the U.S.
2010
The Monterey Institute of International Studies officially designated as a graduate school of Middlebury College.
2014
The Monterey Institute of International Studies was renamed the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
🏛️
226 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Middlebury College

🏫

Middlebury College Language Schools

Intensive summer immersion programs offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

🏫

Bread Loaf School of English

Middlebury's graduate school of English, established in 1920, with campuses in Vermont, Oxford, New Mexico, and North Carolina.

🏫

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

A graduate school focused on international policy, language, and professional development, affiliated with Middlebury College.

Leadership

Ian Baucom
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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