Percentage of male, first-generation freshmen also up

Although final enrollment statistics will not be available until later this fall, the University of Vermont expects the incoming class to include 563 Vermonters. Of those, almost half will receive free tuition, according to a UVM statement published today.

221 will take part in the UVM Promise program, which provides four years of tuition for in-state students whose household income is $100,000 or less. That represents a 76 percent increase from last year, when the income cutoff was $75,000. In addition, 34 Vermont high school students awarded the Green and Gold Scholarship — which covers four years of in-state tuition — have chosen to attend UVM, up from 29 in 2024.

About 14 percent of first-year students are the first in their families to attend college, compared to 11 percent last year. The share of male undergraduates has also increased slightly, from 38 percent to 40 percent.

Enrollment has risen about 15 percent in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the Grossman School of Business. The business school is beginning a new co-op program this semester that places students in full-time jobs while continuing their coursework, supported by a $15 million gift from the Grossman Family Foundation.

Among the incoming undergraduates are several students with notable achievements, including:

• A New Jersey entrepreneur who won the Vermont Pitch Challenge and received a full scholarship.
• An American Idol contestant from New Hampshire who advanced through four rounds of auditions.
• A Vermont author who has published two fantasy novels.
• A nationally ranked rock climber from Vermont.
• A Model UN delegate from Kyrgyzstan.
• A concert pianist who has performed internationally.
• A Nordic skier from Wyoming who has competed with the U.S. Ski Team.

UVM’s Graduate College applications rose 32 percent this year, from 3,176 in 2024 to 4,197 for summer and fall 2025 admission, including students from 34 countries.

The Larner College of Medicine received 10,377 applications and enrolled 124 students, one of its most selective classes. The students represent 22 states and 72 universities, and speak 16 languages in addition to English.

Meanwhile, housing capacity has increased with the expansion of Catamount Run, a South Burlington apartment complex on the site of the former Holiday Inn on Williston Road, serving graduate students, medical students, faculty, and staff. Five of the planned six buildings are now open, with the final one expected next spring.

Green Mountain Transit is also launching new service on August 25, with buses running every 15 minutes during peak hours between downtown Burlington, the UVM campus, and South Burlington City Center.