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Goddard College

Plainfield, VT·Private nonprofit·113 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. 53% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission; 100% freshman retention — students rarely leave.

20%
Accept
113
Students
$30,152
Net Price
75%
Grad Rate
$39,700
Earnings
10 yr
$16,750
Debt

About This School

Goddard College is a private nonprofit institution located in Plainfield, Vermont with approximately 113 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 20% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $30,152 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $39,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Goddard College was a private college with three locations in the United States: Plainfield, Vermont; Port Townsend, Washington; and Seattle. The college offered undergraduate and graduate degree programs. With predecessor institutions dating to 1863, Goddard College was founded in 1938 as an experimental and non-traditional educational institution based on the idea that experience and education are intricately linked.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 100% freshman retention rate and 75% graduation rate suggest students who enroll tend to stick it out, but median earnings of just $39,700 a decade after enrollment make the $30,152 annual net price a serious conversation to have before committing. This tiny, 113-student school with a selective 20% acceptance rate suits a very specific learner — self-directed, comfortable with alternative pedagogy, and not expecting a traditional campus experience or a high-earning career path. Worth considering if the low-residency, individualized learning model aligns with your goals, but run the debt-to-earnings math carefully first.

Founded
1938
Setting
Distant rural

Popular Programs

Education52%
Visual & Performing Arts12%
Psychology4%
English4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

William H. MacyMiriam HopkinsDavid MametTommie SmithMumia Abu-JamalArchie SheppPiers AnthonyHoward AshmanWalter MosleyMatthew QuickJonathan KatzSusie Ibarra

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$19,568
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,568
Avg Net Price
$30,152
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants53%
Median debt at graduation$16,750

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
75%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
100%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,750
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,750
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$29,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White59%
Black8%
Hispanic/Latino4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (113 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Goddard College

123 Pitkin Road

Plainfield, VT 05667-9432

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Vermont

Browse all Vermont schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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