Middlebury College: A Comprehensive Overview of Rankings, Admissions, and Academics

Middlebury College, a private liberal arts institution with a rich history dating back to 1800, consistently garners attention for its academic excellence and unique educational environment. This article delves into various aspects of Middlebury College, including its rankings in national publications, admissions selectivity, academic programs, campus life, and historical milestones.

Middlebury College Rankings

The Middlebury College ranking is a subject of interest for prospective students and the college community alike. U.S. News & World Report consistently includes the Middlebury ranking in its annual evaluations. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, U.S. News placed Middlebury at #13 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. U.S. News also ranked Middlebury at #16 in “Best Undergraduate Teaching” and #29 on the list of Best Value Schools. It's also ranked No. #11 in Lowest Acceptance Rates.

Forbes also provides a Middlebury College ranking on its lists. Middlebury is ranked #52 on the list of Top Colleges 2025 and #37 on Forbes’ list of Private Colleges. Lastly, for best schools in the Northeast, the Middlebury College ranking sits at #23.

It's normal for the Middlebury College ranking to fluctuate each year. U.S. News & World Report released its rankings, which dropped Middlebury to 19th place - eight positions lower than last year, tied with Grinnell College and Washington and Lee University. U.S. News considers 13 factors, including graduation rates, financial resources, faculty resources, social mobility, standardized test scores, and peer assessment. According to this year’s data, Middlebury’s faculty resources remain in the top 10 nationally, demonstrating that the college’s high academic expectations have not changed.

Changes at a college can take time, so an eight-position drop in one year raised suspicion for some members of the college community. Professor of Luso-Hispanic Studies Miguel Fernández remarked that this drop is insignificant. He stated that Middlebury hasn't changed as much as the criteria that U.S. News uses and modifies on a regular basis. The information they use for their rankings is what has changed more than what has changed at Midd. He cited the inclusion of students from the Middlebury Language Schools and Bread Loaf School of English as one reason the college’s endowment to student ratio is lower than for just the undergraduate population. The spokesperson also indicated that pandemic-related issues influenced the college’s performance in rankings, as leaves of absence during that period led to higher student enrollment and fluctuating graduation rates.

Read also: Middlebury Tuition Guide

Middlebury's priority is to fulfill its academic mission - to prepare students to lead engaged, consequential, and creative lives, contribute to their communities, and address the world’s most challenging problems. Interest in Middlebury remains robust, and its holistic admissions process is highly selective.

Rankings cannot fully define a college, since many important factors - such as culture and living conditions - are unquantifiable but vital to students’ college experience. These rankings make most people feel great when they are ranked highly and make a few nervous nellies freak out when they drop.

Admissions

Middlebury admissions is considered most selective. Middlebury admissions looks to learn more about who an applicant is within multiple contexts-in school, in their community, and in their family. Like many top schools, Middlebury admissions uses a holistic review process when evaluating a student’s Middlebury application. Most Middlebury students who were accepted into the Class of 2029 were ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes.

Middlebury College also considers demonstrated interest in the admissions process. Demonstrated interest encompasses a multitude of things. However, simply put, demonstrated interest means that you are engaging with Middlebury College and its offerings. There are multiple ways to show demonstrated interest within your Middlebury application. Some common ways to show demonstrated interest include requesting information about Middlebury or attending a Middlebury College tour, either virtually or in person. You can also reach out to your regional Middlebury admissions officer to learn more about the application process. You can also show your passion for Middlebury in your Middlebury interview.

For the most recent Middlebury application cycle, Middlebury received 11,831 applications. Middlebury students in the class of 2029 come from 46 states (including D.C. and Puerto Rico) and 63 countries. The current Middlebury College acceptance rate is 11%. In Fall 2020, the Middlebury acceptance rate was 22%, making it one of the most selective colleges in the United States. As more students are applying to college than ever before, the Middlebury acceptance rate will likely remain the same or continue to decrease.

The Middlebury application can be found on the Common App. We recommend that you submit as many of the optional application materials to Middlebury College as you can. There are multiple Middlebury College admissions deadlines. If Middlebury College is your dream school, consider submitting your Middlebury College application by the Early Decision I deadline, November 1st. Early Decision I is binding, which means that you must attend Middlebury College if you are admitted through this application deadline. Middlebury College has two other admissions deadlines, Early Decision II and Regular Decision. If you submit your Middlebury College application through the Early Decision II deadline of January 3rd, you will be notified of your admission decision by mid-February. The Regular Decision deadline at Middlebury College is also January 3rd.

The Common App essay is the only required writing piece for admission. Even though Middlebury College is test-optional, we recommend submitting your standardized test scores with your Middlebury application. Like many schools, Middlebury went test-optional through the COVID-19 pandemic. It is your decision whether to submit your standardized test scores with your Middlebury College application. However, there are many factors to consider before making this decision, including the selective Middlebury acceptance rate, Middlebury ranking, and Middlebury enrollment. In fall 2025, the average Middlebury SAT score was between 1445-1550, and the average ACT score was between 33-35. If your test scores match the Middlebury SAT requirements or average Middlebury SAT score, it makes sense to submit them with your Middlebury College application. However, if your test scores do not align with the average Middlebury SAT, you do not have to include them with your application.

If you choose to submit your optional test scores, Middlebury College will “super score” your results. You are allowed to self-report your test scores on your Middlebury College application. In order to submit your test scores, you can enter them into the testing section of the Common Application or upload your scores directly into the Middlebury College application portal. Middlebury College also lists out the latest test date for the SAT and ACT that you can take and still meet any of the Middlebury admission deadlines. If you are applying to Middlebury College through Early Decision I, the latest test dates you can register for are in November.

Although the Middlebury GPA requirements and average Middlebury GPA are not available online, this does not mean that GPA isn’t considered in the Middlebury College application review process. To be a competitive applicant to Middlebury College, try matching the average assumed Middlebury GPA of 4.0. If your GPA is lower than the average Middlebury GPA, don’t worry.

The Middlebury interview is the perfect opportunity for applicants to learn more about Middlebury College and the Middlebury campus. The Middlebury interview is optional and not required for admission. If you are unable to complete a Middlebury interview, it will not negatively impact your admission odds. The Middlebury interview is conducted by alumni volunteers. Interviews will be offered virtually for the application process. If you plan to apply to Middlebury through the Early Decision I deadline, you must request an interview by November 7. Middlebury College will do its best to assign an interview to as many applicants as possible.

Read also: Evolution of the Middlebury Logo

The Elevator Pitch is a 90-second video statement that allows the Middlebury admissions officers to get to know more about you. We recommend submitting an Elevator Pitch if you are not matched for a Middlebury interview. Although there is a fee associated with this service, you can send your recording to multiple colleges and universities, not just to Middlebury.

Middlebury admissions decisions are need-blind. This means that your ability (or inability) to pay for Middlebury tuition will not affect your admission decision.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Middlebury College tuition is dependent on a variety of factors and can change from year to year. The school's tuition and fees are $70,640. Middlebury College has a college net price calculator for prospective Middlebury students. This gives you a general overview of what your Middlebury financial aid and family contribution might be. Remember, this is just an estimate of your net price of Middlebury tuition and eligibility for Middlebury financial aid.

Of the entire Middlebury enrollment, roughly 51% of students receive Middlebury financial aid assistance in the form of grants. Forty-eight percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $25,185. Middlebury College provides some form of grant aid or Middlebury financial aid to about half of all Middlebury students. For the Middlebury College class of 2029, the average grant awarded to students from the Middlebury Financial Aid Office was $60,202.

In order to be considered for Middlebury financial aid, you must complete all necessary forms by the deadlines. Middlebury students are required to submit the CSS Profile in order to be considered for Middlebury financial aid. Once your CSS Profile is processed by Middlebury College, you will receive access to the College Board Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). There, you may be required to provide additional tax documentation. This is a safe and secure way to submit financial aid documents to Middlebury College. In addition to the CSS Profile, Middlebury students must submit the FAFSA. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for all federal student financial aid, not just Middlebury financial aid.

You must apply for Middlebury financial aid every year. Once you submit all documentation for Middlebury financial aid, you can expect to receive your final financial aid offer from Middlebury College in early summer. Your final Middlebury College financial aid offer will list your cost of attendance. Middlebury offers financial aid in the form of grants and Middlebury College scholarships. Grants and Middlebury College scholarships are considered “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid. Middlebury College scholarships and grants are awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. Students may also be awarded Middlebury College scholarships from a specific endowed scholarship at Middlebury. Middlebury College students are automatically considered for these grants and Middlebury College scholarships by applying for financial aid. Middlebury College does not have a separate scholarship application.

Academics

Middlebury utilizes a 4-1-4 academic calendar. The academic year follows a 4-1-4 schedule of two four-course semesters in the autumn and spring plus what is known as a "Winter Term" session in January. The Winter Term, often called "J-Term" for January Term, allows students to enroll in one intensive course, pursue independent research, or complete an off-campus internship. According to Forbes, Middlebury offers 45 majors. In the fall of 2024, the college offers 45 majors in the arts and humanities as well as joint engineering programs.

Some of the Middlebury majors include:

Economics: The Economics major at Middlebury College allows students to examine how the world works and trains students to examine issues through qualitative and quantitative reasoning.
Environmental Studies: The Middlebury College Environmental Studies program is the oldest undergraduate Environmental Studies program in the United States. If you are interested in examining environmental issues around the world, the Environmental Studies major at Middlebury might be right for you.
Neuroscience: The Neuroscience major at Middlebury allows students to study how the brain functions and the role of the nervous system in behavior. Neuroscience students at Middlebury College can expect to actively engage in research that covers the biological, psychological, and philosophical roots of neuroscience.

If there are multiple Middlebury majors that interest you, consider opting for a double-major at Middlebury College. Middlebury students who wish to double-major must officially declare so by the end of their fourth semester.

Aside from the Middlebury majors, there are also many other programs and opportunities you can explore at Middlebury College. The pre-professional programs at Middlebury College include Pre-Engineering and Pre-Law, along with Architectural Studies, Education Studies, and Health Professions. One of the more popular dual-degree programs among Middlebury College students is with Dartmouth College.

The California Climate Semester at Middlebury College takes place from early January to mid-May. Students involved in this program spend their time at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, learning about climate issues and the cultural and natural history of California. The Privilege & Poverty academic cluster at Middlebury College combines experiential learning to examine the causes and effects of economic inequality. Finally, the Middlebury College Enterprise and Business Program is designed to provide students with a better understanding of how liberal arts relates to the fields of enterprise, business, social entrepreneurship, management, and finance.

Middlebury College Language Schools

The Middlebury College Language Schools, which began with the establishment of the School of German in 1915, offer intensive instruction in 10 languages during six-, seven-, or eight-week summer sessions. The schools enroll about 1,350 students every summer. The Schools all use an immersion-based approach to language instruction and acquisition. The Middlebury College Language Schools offers a Doctor of Modern Languages. Unique to Middlebury, the D.M.L.

Bread Loaf School of English

The Bread Loaf School of English is based at the college's Bread Loaf Mountain campus in Ripton, just outside Middlebury, in sight of the main ridge of the Green Mountains. Every summer since 1920, Bread Loaf has offered students from around the United States and the world intensive courses in literature, creative writing, the teaching of writing, and theater.

Campus Life

Middlebury College is a welcoming community that emphasizes a strong academic community and meaningful connections with faculty and staff. Middlebury College has over 200 student organizations supported by the Student Activities Office (SAO). SAO provides experiential programs and leadership roles to help Middlebury students build community and engage with others on campus and in the world at large. The Student Activities team provides leadership development opportunities for student leaders on the Middlebury campus.

Middlebury students are represented by the Middlebury College Student Government Association (SGA). The SGA is made up of elected class representatives, appointed advisors, and a president elected by the student body. The Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) contributes to student life on campus by creating innovative programming and upholding traditions unique to Middlebury.

Middlebury is located near the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. So, there is an abundance of outdoor activities, environments, and classrooms to join in your time at Middlebury College. Middlebury College also offers several cultural programs and clubs for students to get involved in while attending Middlebury. If you do not see yourself represented in the student clubs and organizations at Middlebury College, don’t worry.

In fall 2025, the total Middlebury enrollment was approximately 2,760 undergraduate students. For undergraduates, the total Middlebury enrollment is roughly 2,700 students. Each year, the Middlebury enrollment averages 2,800 students on campus with an additional 300 students participating in study abroad programs at any given time. As of the 2022-2023 academic year, the student body consisted of 53% women and 47% men.

Middlebury offers a mid-year graduation for those students who complete coursework at the end of January. These students are usually "Febs," students who began their Middlebury careers as February first-years. Middlebury Outdoor Programs organizes outdoor orientations for incoming students in September and February.

The Middlebury Campus is the student weekly of Middlebury College.

Campus Location and Environment

As you continue your research on Middlebury, you may wonder-where is Middlebury College? Where is Middlebury College within the state of Vermont, you might also wonder? The school is located in a natural setting, nestled between mountain ranges. This setting is crucial to the identity of the Middlebury campus. Because of the natural beauty surrounding the Middlebury campus, Middlebury boasts an impressive number of campus environmental initiatives.

The 350-acre (1.4 km2) main campus is located in the Champlain Valley between Vermont's Green Mountains to the east and New York's Adirondack Mountains to the west.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Middlebury enrollment numbers impact the Middlebury College student-to-faculty ratio. All courses at Middlebury are taught by faculty members. The Middlebury student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. Middlebury enrollment also impacts the average class size at Middlebury College. Like the student-to-faculty ratio, most classes at Middlebury are small.

Historical Overview

Middlebury College is a private institution that was founded in 1800. Middlebury received its founding charter on November 1, 1800, as an outgrowth of the Addison County Grammar School, which had been founded three years earlier in 1797. The college's first president-Jeremiah Atwater-began classes a few days later, making Middlebury the first operating college or university in Vermont. One student named Aaron Petty graduated at the first commencement held in August 1802.

The college's founding religious affiliation was loosely Congregationalist. Yet the idea for a college was that of town fathers rather than clergymen, and Middlebury was clearly "the Town's College" rather than the Church's. Chief among its founders were Seth Storrs and Gamaliel Painter, the former credited with the idea for a college and the latter as its greatest early benefactor. In addition to receiving a diploma upon graduation, Middlebury graduates also receive a replica of Gamaliel Painter's cane. Painter bequeathed his original cane to the college and it is carried by the college President at official occasions including first-year convocation and graduation.

Alexander Twilight, class of 1823, was the first black graduate of any college or university in the United States; he also became the first African American elected to public office, joining the Vermont House of Representatives in 1836. Joseph Little Warner was the namesake of Joseph Warner Science Hall at Middlebury.

In 1883, the trustees voted to accept women as students in the college, making Middlebury one of the first formerly all-male liberal arts colleges in New England to become a coeducational institution. The college's centennial in 1900 began a century of physical expansion beyond the three buildings of Old Stone Row. York and Sawyer designed the Egbert Starr Library (1900), a Beaux-Arts edifice later expanded and renamed the Axinn Center, and Warner Hall (1901). Growth in enrollment and the endowment led to continued expansion westward.

The national fraternity Kappa Delta Rho was founded in Painter Hall on May 17, 1905. Middlebury College abolished fraternities in the early 1990s, but the organization continued on campus in the less ritualized form of a social house. Due to a policy at the school against single-sex organizations, the house was forced to coeducate during the same period as well.

The German Language School, founded in 1915 under the supervision of then-President John Martin Thomas, began the tradition of the Middlebury College Language Schools. Middlebury President Paul Dwight Moody began the American tradition of a National Christmas Tree in 1923 when the college donated a 48-foot balsam fir for use at the White House. The tree was illuminated when Vermont native Calvin Coolidge flipped an electric switch in the first year of his presidency.

The Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury's graduate school of English, was established at the college's Bread Loaf Mountain campus in 1920. The Bread Loaf Writers' Conference was established in 1926. In 1978, the Bread Loaf School of English expanded to include a campus at Lincoln College, Oxford University. In 1991, the School expanded to include a campus at St. John's College in New Mexico, and to the University of North Carolina, Asheville, in 2006.

The C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad began in 1949 with the school in Paris; they now host students at 38 sites in Argentina, Brazil, China, Cameroon, Chile, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Russia, Spain, Uruguay, United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico.

In 2005, Middlebury signed an affiliation agreement with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, a graduate school in Monterey, California. In the summer of 2008, Middlebury and the Monterey Institute of International Studies launched a collaborative program to offer summer language immersion programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish to middle and high school students through the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA).

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