
Courtesy of Champlain College
Champlain College is a private college in Burlington, Vermont, with roots in a business school founded in 1878. It began as Burlington Business School and later adopted the Champlain College name as its programs expanded beyond business training.
That history helps explain the college's continuing emphasis on career-oriented study. Today its offerings extend well beyond business to fields including computer science, cybersecurity, media, design, education and human services. The college also serves adult learners through Champlain College Online. Prospective students should distinguish its Burlington-based undergraduate experience from online programs, which can have different schedules, admissions procedures and prices.
Champlain College organizes its academic offerings around business, communication and creative media, education and human studies, and information technology and sciences. Students can pursue undergraduate degrees, while graduate and online offerings provide additional routes for working adults and career changers.
Representative areas of study include accounting and marketing; filmmaking, graphic design and game-related disciplines; criminal justice and psychology; and computer science, data science and cybersecurity. The Stiller School of Business is a named academic school. Champlain College Online offers programs that should be checked separately for delivery format and requirements.
The college's curriculum also includes general education alongside major coursework. Applicants comparing similar-sounding programs should consult the current academic catalog for the actual degree title, required courses, internship or project expectations, and whether classes are offered in Burlington, online or both.
Champlain College's main campus is in Burlington, Vermont, near the city's downtown and Lake Champlain. Its setting combines a residential campus with access to local employers, arts venues and community organizations.
Burlington's walkable areas and local transit may be useful to students without cars, but travel time depends on where they live and where their classes or jobs are located. Burlington International Airport provides regional air service. Students considering an off-campus apartment should budget for transportation and Vermont's winter weather, not just rent.
The college also operates programs outside Burlington, including study-abroad opportunities in Montréal and Dublin. Those should not be mistaken for additional Burlington-area campuses offering every degree.
Champlain College describes its educational purpose in terms of professional preparation, applied learning and students' development beyond a single job or major. Its stated approach combines specialized study with broader communication, critical-thinking and civic skills.
For prospective students, the practical question is how that approach appears in a particular program: the sequence of major courses, opportunities for projects or internships, and the general education requirements. A college's mission describes its priorities; it does not, by itself, establish that every student will have the same academic or career outcome.
Name of the institution
Champlain CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1878Champlain College is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.