The Green Mountain State is one of the smallest by land and population. But don’t let Vermont’s small stature fool you. This unique state is a beautiful place to study and live. Vermont has a total of 25 institutes of higher education. It has six public universities and community colleges. The Community College of Vermont has twelve campuses throughout the state, and there are also seventeen private universities, colleges, and trade schools. Whatever you would like to study, you can find a place to study in Vermont.
Living in Vermont
Vermont is home to just 622,000 people. The people here are extremely well educated. About 86% of Vermont residents over the age of 25 have their high school diploma. The national average is just 80%. Likewise, about 29% of Vermont residents over 25 years old have their bachelor’s degree or higher-5% more than the national average. The median household income here is on par with the national median at about $52,000, yet home prices are below the national median at $111,500. In other words, Vermont is an ideal place to study and begin your career.
Working in Vermont
Vermont enjoys a diverse economy with a large percentage of skilled jobs. Major industries here include government work, real estate, manufacturing, health care, retail, and finance, in that order. Other important industries include construction, technical work, food services, and information technology. Because Vermont has such a wide array of industries, the state has the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the country. As of May 2010, the state’s unemployment rate was just 6.2%.
Things to Do in Vermont
Vermont has the second highest number of vacation homes of any state. That means that people love to come to Vermont every year for its wide variety of activities and opportunities. Vermont is particularly well known for its excellent winter sports. The state has a wide variety of ski resorts that offer winter sports including downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and more. Vermont also has a variety of resort towns that cater to summer visitors. Places like Stowe, Manchester, and Woodstock all offer excellent opportunities for fine dining, shopping, relaxation, and other summer fun.
Vermont is a great state for antique shopping and learning about New England history. Visit the Bennington Museum to see paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from Vermont’s rich colonial history and beyond. Or take the family to Montpellier to tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory.
If you are a resident of Vermont interested in earning a college diploma, find a college degree or certificate from an accredited Vermont college or university near you.