Why Saint Michael’s
Think Deeply. Belong Fully. Make a Difference.
At a time when artificial intelligence can generate information instantly, the real premium is no longer access to knowledge. Those entering the workforce need sound judgment听鈥 the ability to discern what is true, what is just, and what genuinely matters 鈥 and creativity 鈥 the capacity to imagine new possibilities and shape a better future. They must be able to disagree with someone thoughtfully and still work alongside them. They must have moral courage in conditions of genuine uncertainty. These are not incidental virtues. They are the core competencies of the century ahead 鈥 and they cannot be downloaded.
Saint Michael鈥檚 College exists to educate people of听integrity, discernment, and purpose 鈥 graduates who are prepared not only for careers, but for lives that make a difference.
Don鈥檛 just take our word for it. Read more about our outcomes below.
The Saint Michael鈥檚 Difference
An Education Rooted in Purpose and Belonging
Saint Michael鈥檚 College is charting a future rooted in its longstanding strengths while embracing innovation and responding to the needs of a new era. Students are known, supported, and challenged in a close鈥慿nit, inclusive residential community where they can bring their full selves to their learning. We blend the liberal arts, experiential learning, service, and the Catholic intellectual tradition to prepare students not just for their first job, but for meaningful lives that contribute to the common good. The Catholic intellectual tradition places the world鈥檚 biggest questions 鈥 about justice, meaning, technology, and humanity 鈥 at the center of our education.
At Saint Michael鈥檚, faith and reason are not in tension but in conversation, shaping every discipline. In a world transformed by artificial intelligence, environmental crisis, and civic fracture, this becomes powerful preparation. Students, faculty, and staff of every faith and belief system are welcome, and the College鈥檚 size and mission allow them to feel a sense of belonging regardless of differences.
Learn about the College鈥檚 Division of Edmundite Mission.


Academic Excellence
Saint Michael鈥檚 continues to build on its enduring strengths in academic excellence, experiential learning, and community engagement.听Many听students collaborate with faculty on impactful research addressing global health, environmental sustainability, and the evolving fields of digital marketing and design.
- 78% Student Internships
- Over 80% medical school matriculation rate 鈥 more than twice the national average.
- One of only 25 Catholic institutions with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
- Designated a 鈥淭op Producer鈥 of Fulbright scholars by the U.S. State Department.
- One of just 33 U.S. colleges awarded a Freeman Foundation Grant to support internships in Asia.
- Consistent recipient of the NCAA Presidents鈥 Award for Academic Excellence
These outcomes reflect a community built on inquiry, mentorship, and a shared desire to do good in the world.听

Location matters
Saint Michael鈥檚 sits at the edge of the Green Mountains in Colchester, minutes from Winooski and Burlington 鈥 a small city where more than half of adults hold a college degree. Vermont鈥檚 traditions of locally based democracy, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement turn abstract classroom questions into lived ones.
Here, questions of justice, sustainability, and community governance aren鈥檛 hypothetical. Insights to these issues are only minutes away. That is no accident 鈥 it鈥檚 central to what a Saint Michael鈥檚 education is designed to be.
Access and affordability
Saint Michael鈥檚 College is committed to making education accessible by simplifying the financial aid equation:
- Full tuition for Vermont students from households earning under $100,000.
- Vermont students from households earning above $100,000 pay tuition matching the University of Vermont.
- Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate students pay their in鈥憇tate flagship tuition rate.
- $11,500 commuter tuition for Vermont residents living off campus.

Leadership, service, and community
Student Investment Fund
A student-led initiative supported by the College that empowers students to manage and invest a portion of the College鈥檚 endowment, gaining real-world financial experience.
Pre-law Club & Mock Trial
Provides resources and community for students interested in legal careers. The newly added Mock Trial subgroup is open to all students, regardless of major, offering hands-on legal practice and teamwork.
Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE)
, offering meaningful volunteer opportunities that support the most vulnerable members of the community.
Student-Run Volunteer Fire & Rescue
Established 55 years ago, to serve the surrounding community through emergency response and life-saving efforts. Students respond to calls both on campus and in nearby towns.
Adventure Sports
Students hike, rock climb, ice climb, kayak, and ski while , practicing environmental stewardship, and building camaraderie.
Four-Year Residential Housing
Fosters a strong sense of belonging and lifelong connections in a safe, inclusive living environment, which supports student engagement beyond the classroom.

A transformative education for a changing world
Saint Michael鈥檚 continues to evolve academic offerings to meet emerging needs 鈥 while remaining grounded in mission and the liberal arts.
Over the past 18 months, Saint Michael鈥檚 College reorganized its 20 academic departments into four newly established interdisciplinary schools 鈥 creating greater efficiency and coherence across the curriculum.
This reorganization fosters deeper collaboration among faculty and students through three dynamic co-curricular institutes that address critical issues of the 21st century: Environment, Equity & Justice, and Global Engagement. These institutes serve as living laboratories, where students gain hands-on experience in multidisciplinary teamwork, leadership, research, and experiential learning that enrich traditional academics.
The creation of the four schools鈥Arts & Humanities, Business & Technology, Society & Culture, and Natural & Health Sciences鈥攑ositions Saint Michael鈥檚 to adapt nimbly to emerging workforce demands while staying true to our roots.
New academic offerings under development respond directly to today鈥檚 workforce demands and tomorrow鈥檚 opportunities. They include:
- Finance
- Nutrition
- Science Education
- Emergency Services 鈥 Builds on our proud 55-year Fire & Rescue legacy.
4 Schools + 3 Institutes =
Pathway for co-academic learning and leadership development,听professional听development, and community engagement.
- School of Arts & Humanities
- School of Business and Technology
- School of Natural & Health Sciences
- School of Society and Culture
Co-academic = academic life + student life
Aligned to and assessed by career readiness and ethical leadership competencies.
The Purple Knight network
Saint Michael鈥檚 students have access to an alumni network of more than 20,000 Purple Knights. Our alumni network is one of our greatest superpowers as a college 鈥 and our graduates consistently step up to help pave the way for current students and new graduates into internships and jobs.
Throughout the year, the College hosts numerous opportunities for students to interact and network with alumni, both on and off campus.
More recently, we鈥檝e seen:
- Alumni engagement is growing through new joint alumni and prospective student events across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
- A 144% increase in giving in FY 2025, including a 56% rise in Saint Michael鈥檚 Fund donations. (Some of these donations help support scholarships for current students, providing greater access to Saint Michael鈥檚 education.)
- More alumni are including Saint Michael鈥檚 in their estate plans, reflecting a deep and lasting commitment to our community.
Alumni and family engagement opportunities
Explore ways to give

Athletics

Our more than 20 Athletics teams reinforce the values that define us: teamwork, dedication, and character. Competing in the NE10 鈥 the nation鈥檚 most competitive Division II conference 鈥 Saint Michael鈥檚 College athletes excel on and off the field.
Some highlights:
- 92% retention rate among student-athletes
- Consistently among the top schools in NCAA Division II for academic success.
- Dozens of student-athletes are inducted each year into Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society.
Economic Impact in Vermont (2024)
- $185 million total economic impact
- 3,831 Fire & Rescue responses in Greater Burlington
- 2,943 jobs supported by the College
- 60,000 hours of student community service
Read the full economic impact report
Discover The St. Mike's Way
Every journey at Saint Michael鈥檚 begins with purpose and is guided by people who make this place extraordinary. Through their voices, discover what it means to live, learn, and grow the Saint Mike鈥檚 Way.