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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 College: Pioneering liberal arts, global studies, and environmental leadership in scenic Vermont.

Middlebury College, nestled in the picturesque landscape of Vermont, stands as a premier private liberal arts institution with a rich history of innovation. Since its founding in 1800 as the first operating college in the state, Middlebury has cultivated a distinctive identity, renowned for its immersive language programs, deep commitment to environmental studies, and a global reach that spans continents. It's a place where academic rigor meets breathtaking natural beauty, offering a vibrant backdrop for learning and personal growth.

Academically, Middlebury offers a robust undergraduate experience with 45 majors in the arts and humanities, complemented by joint engineering programs. The college is particularly distinguished by its immersive Language Schools, offering instruction in 10 critical global languages during the summer, and its extensive C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad network, which places students at 38 international sites. Furthermore, its graduate programs, including the esteemed Bread Loaf School of English and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, reinforce its commitment to specialized advanced learning and international engagement.

Beyond its academic prowess, Middlebury holds a significant place in American educational history. It was a trailblazer in coeducation, accepting women students in 1883, and its early graduates include Alexander Twilight, the first Black graduate of any U.S. college, and Lemuel Haynes, the first African American to receive an honorary advanced degree. The college also launched the nation's first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in 1965, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to addressing critical global challenges. On campus, students engage in a vibrant community supported by 31 NCAA Division III varsity teams (the Panthers) and a unique system of coeducational social houses, fostering a dynamic and supportive environment where intellectual curiosity thrives alongside a strong sense of community.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Founded in 1800, it was the first operating college or university in Vermont.
  • ✦Pioneered coeducation in New England, accepting women students in 1883.
  • ✦Established the first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the U.S. in 1965.
  • ✦Hosts world-renowned Language Schools offering 10 immersive programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
  • ✦Offers an expansive global footprint with C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad at 38 sites across 17 countries and Puerto Rico.
  • ✦Notable early alumni include Alexander Twilight, the first Black graduate of any U.S. college (1823), and Lemuel Haynes, the first African American to receive an honorary master's degree (1804).
  • ✦Manages an endowment of approximately $1.7 billion.

Timeline

1800
Middlebury College receives its founding charter, becoming the first operating college in Vermont.
1804
Lemuel Haynes receives an honorary master's degree, the first advanced degree bestowed upon an African American.
1823
Alexander Twilight graduates, becoming the first Black graduate of any college or university in the United States.
1883
Trustees vote to accept women as students, making Middlebury one of the first coeducational liberal arts colleges in New England.
1915
The German Language School is founded, marking the beginning of the Middlebury College Language Schools tradition.
1920
The Bread Loaf School of English is established at the college's Bread Loaf Mountain campus.
1949
The C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad begin with the school in Paris, expanding global opportunities.
1965
Middlebury establishes the first undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the U.S.
2010
The Monterey Institute of International Studies is officially designated as a graduate school of Middlebury College.
🏛️
226 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

4 notable schools within Middlebury College

🏫

Middlebury College Language Schools

Immersive summer programs in 10 languages, fostering linguistic and cultural fluency.

🏫

Bread Loaf School of English

A renowned graduate school for English, with campuses in Vermont, Oxford, New Mexico, and North Carolina.

🏫

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

A graduate school focusing on international policy, language, and professional development.

🏫

C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad

International programs offering study at 38 sites in 17 countries and Puerto Rico.

Leadership

Ian Baucom
President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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