Campus Vibe
Highly selective — close-knit campus
Goddard College is a private rural institution in Plainfield, Vermont. Admission is competitive.
A small campus of 113 undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.
75% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $25,552 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $30,152.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Goddard College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Admissions
Application Platforms
Regular Decision
Rolling
Financial Aid
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
31.3%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$16,750
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
0
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Programs (17)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
100%
- •100% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Campus Life
Non-traditional low-residency model; focus on individualized learning
Housing & Residential Life
Housing Styles
Dining
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Notable Alumni
David Mamet
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and screenwriter
Archie Shepp
Renowned jazz saxophonist and composer
Cara Hoffman
Award-winning novelist
Christine Palm
Connecticut State Representative
David Helvarg
Environmental journalist and activist
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Goddard College began in 1863 in Barre, Vermont, northeast of Middlebury as the Green Mountain Central Institute.
- •In 1870, it was renamed Goddard Seminary in honor of Thomas A.
- •Goddard Wikidata (1811–1868) and his wife Mary (1816–1889).
- •Founded by Universalists, Goddard Seminary was originally a four-year preparatory high school, primarily affiliated with Tufts College in eastern Massachusetts.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Nearby Attractions
Goddard College Farmwalkable
Working farm on campus for sustainable agriculture education
Plainfield Villagewalkable
Small Vermont village with local character
Green Mountain National Forest
Vast wilderness area for hiking and outdoor recreation
Montpelier
Vermont's capital city with cultural attractions