Castleton University

Student Profile

Fall 2016 Enrollment
1,968 undergraduate students
91% of undergrad students are full time
49% male — 51% female
27% of students are from out of state

Faculty Profile

2016-2017 Academic Year
97 full-time faculty
118 part-time faculty
9 to 1 student/faculty ratio

Residence Life

Fall 2016
85% of first year students live on campus
60% of all students live on campus

School Location

Located in Castleton, Vermont, Castleton University is home to a 165-acre campus at the base of the state’s Green Mountains and nearby Adirondacks of New York. The University’s location is within a short drive of larger metropolitan cities such as Burlington, VT, Albany, NY, and Boston, MA, and provides an abundance of outdoor opportunities for all seasons of the year.

High-Impact Practices

Read more about the importance of High-Impact Practices

RETENTION FALL 2016

75% of students began in Fall 2015 and returned in Fall 2016 (full time, first time freshmen)

6 YEAR GRADUATION RATE 2016

47% of students graduated in 6 years

ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2016

Athletics

The Castleton University Athletics and Recreation Department provides students with state of the art athletic facilities for sport-related activities at the varsity, club and intramural levels. Featuring 29 varsity programs, including 15 varsity women’s sports: alpine skiing, basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, Nordic skiing, rugby, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, and 14 varsity men’s sports: alpine skiing, baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, Nordic skiing, soccer, tennis, track and field, and wrestling, Castleton competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III with a majority of its teams competing in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC).

Other Information

Castleton University is Vermont’s first institution of higher education and was founded in 1787. The 165-acre campus is the 18th oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

With 21 buildings on campus, the University has invested nearly $85 million into the campus in the past ten years, including spaces such as the Castleton Pavilion, an open-air timber and stone structure which is the largest venue of its kind in the state of Vermont, the University’s 12 residence halls and 2 LEED Gold certified buildings.  

Academic Programs

HUMANITIES
Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Global Studies, History, , Social Studies, Philosophy, Women’s and Gender Studies, English, American Literature, Children’s Literature, World Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, Spanish for Business

SOCIAL SCIENCES
Psychology of Agency, Developmental Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Community Studies, Criminology, Cultural Anthropology, Power and Conflict, Political Science

NATURAL SCIENCES AND HEALTH
Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Ecological Studies, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, Geology, Health Science, Athletic Training, Health Education, Community Health Education, School Health Education, Physical Education, Sports Administration, Nursing

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer Information Systems, Mathematics, Mathematics Elementary Education, Mathematics Secondary Education, Statistics

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION
Accounting, Management, Marketing, Digital Media, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, Video/Film Production

EDUCATION
Elementary, Secondary, Special, Career and Technical, Multidisciplinary Studies

ARTS
Art Education, Art History, Graphic Design, Photography, Studio Art, Music, Music Education, Musical Theater, Music Performance, Acting and Directing, Technical Theater and Design

More Distinctions

• Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification

• Tobacco-Free Campus

• 2015 America’s Most Affordable Small Colleges by Best Value Schools

Community Engagement

Castleton has a rich history of community engagement, serving the town of Castleton and surrounding communities since it’s founding year of 1787. From their first day on campus, students are taught to make a difference at Castleton before going out to make a difference in the world. Community engagement is an important aspect of the Castleton experience, from classroom curriculums to residence life and student activities. Ultimately, students are provided with rich, real-world experiences that truly prepare them for lives of work and service.

Research Opportunities

Through experiential learning, Castleton students have the opportunity to engage in collaborative research and creative endeavors with faculty from a variety of academic programs. Learning opportunities include independent study, honors theses, and capstone projects. Many faculty-student collaborative research projects are supported by funds from the Academic Dean’s’ Office during the academic year.

Study Abroad

The Castleton Study Abroad Office works hard to provide students with rewarding abroad opportunities. Throughout the years Castleton students have had the opportunity to explore the international culture and landscapes of locations such as Costa Rica, Iceland, Peru, Greece, New Zealand, London, Cambodia, and China.

Castleton Polling Institute

Tying together the skills of teaching, researching, and public service, the Castleton Polling Institute serves as a place where students can learn the science and art of polling and survey research methodology. The Castleton Polling Institute uses service learning as a way to give back to the state and local community. Students work with governments, businesses, media, and nonprofits to help collect and analyze data that contributes to their work. The institute has been featured nationally and frequently provides survey research for both public and private entities.

ACTIVITIES OFFERED

First-Year Seminar

Castleton’s First-Year Seminar Program helps students make a successful transition into college life. The program introduces students to campus resources and is designed to promote the academic skills that students need to be prosperous in their new environment.

Dedicated Faculty

Castleton faculty members are a dedicated community of professionals comprised of scholar-teachers whose academic and artistic endeavors enlarge and enrich the lives of their students, their colleagues, and the university. Ninety-four percent of faculty hold doctoral or appropriate terminal degrees in their field of academic specialty, in addition to all full-time faculty in the Graduate Programs holding doctoral degrees.

Graduate Programs

Castleton University offers 10 challenging graduate level courses leading to a master’s degree, including on campus and hybrid, low-residency learning options. Students can expect to receive a transformative, relationship-based educational experience with dedicated professors, and close student-faculty interactions.

Academic Support Center

The Castleton Academic Support Center offers individualized attention and extra support and services that allow students to feel confident as they navigate university life and prepare for their future beyond Castleton. The center covers a wide range of topics from helping students improve their writing skills to studying for upcoming tests or assignments.

COMMON CORE

CLASS SIZE BREAKDOWN

Educational and Cultural Events

Castleton hosts a wide variety of educational and cultural events that are open to the campus and greater community, including lectures, musical concerts, performing arts, multicultural celebrations, films, live performances, and conferences. These events enrich the cultural and academic experiences for Castleton students, while also providing an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the world.

Clubs and Activities

Castleton students organize and run over 40 clubs and club sports on campus throughout the academic year. With growing interests, clubs, and activities are added on a regular basis with approval from the Student Government Association Office.

Castleton in the Community

In recent years. Castleton has committed to investing in the Rutland Region, including the addition of the Spartan Arena in 2009, the Castleton Downtown Gallery in 2011, and the Castleton Polling Institute and Center for Entrepreneurial Programs. Each location provides unique learning opportunities for its student, all while providing valued services for the surrounding region.

CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATES

Career Services

With the mission of preparing students to successfully transition from a college life to a professional career, Castleton’s Office of Career Services helps current students and recent graduates to achieve their professional career goals. Members of the Career Services team assist students with all aspects of career planning, including choosing a major, exploring career-related interests, developing effective internship and job searching strategies, applying to graduate schools, and changing careers.

Extended Learning

For those looking to continue their education, Castleton offers several dual-degree options through a 4+1 format in various disciplines. This process allows students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in only 5 years.

Internships

Castleton helps to provide on-campus and off-campus internships for all students, with local, national, and international opportunities. Opportunities through the Castleton Internship Program provide positions of responsibility for students in a professional environment under the supervision of an on-site professional and a faculty advisor. Past internships have included businesses such as NBC, Fox News, Edgewood Entertainment, PUMA International, WCAX, Kate Spade, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Vermont Country Store, and Green Mountain Power.

ADMISSIONS

ADMISSIONS FALL 2016

2,505 Total Applicants
1,983 Total Admissions
482 Total Freshmen Enrollment

Selectivity
79.16% of applicants admitted

Admissions Deadlines for 2017-18 Admission

Rolling admission? Yes

Admissions Factors

Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record
Class rank Academic
GPA Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Character/personal qualities

Important
Standardized test scores

Considered
Interview
Extracurricular activities
Volunteer work
Level of applicant’s interest

Freshmen Profile Fall 2016

Admission Information

Castleton welcomes all applicants, including first-year, transfer, graduate, and international students from around the world.

The University is a member of the Common Application and prospective students are encouraged to apply online. While the Office of Admissions recommends students apply early, the University does not have an application deadline, as all decisions are mailed on a rolling basis.

TUITION AND COSTS

Net Price Calculator

https://castleton.studentaidcalculator.com/survey.aspx 

TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2017-2018

FINANCIAL AID

AID INFORMATION

With approximately 80 percent of Castleton’s undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid, Castleton’s financial aid program primarily consists of federal funds, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

The mission of Castleton’s Financial Aid Office is to provide students and their families with information on the financial aid resources available to meet their educational goals while maintaining full compliance with all federal and state regulations, as well as university policies.