Champlain College (CC)

Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, private college overlooking Lake Champlain in charming Burlington, Vermont. Its innovative, career-focused approach to education is nationally recognized for shaping graduates who are ready for work, ready for life, and ready to make a difference.

Champlain students take classes in their major on day one through the Upside-Down Curriculum, allowing them to graduate with more professional experiences—such as internships, jobs, and fieldwork opportunities—and a deeper understanding of their industries. The results: 90% of the Class of 2023 was employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.

Champlain's small size and professional opportunities attract relentlessly inquisitive and open-minded individuals who are engaged in their community and fiercely dedicated to building the world they want to live in.

Champlain College is proud of its small 1,800-students community that brings together diverse perspectives from 46 states and 6 countries. Champlain students are known for being skeptical in all the right ways. They are creative, innovative thinkers who are passionately committed to their fields and eager to challenge conventional ideas.

Champlain is small but mighty. The Student Life team organizes many activities, including concerts, dances, adventure trips, film festivals, and networking events. Our students have easy access to vibrant city life in Burlington, providing them with a rich array of opportunities and experiences.

This blend of diverse backgrounds, critical thinking, and active participation creates a unique college experience at Champlain, where students can grow personally and professionally while making lasting connections.

Champlain College's community is grounded in an impressive and unique array of student organizations and activities that cater to diverse interests ranging from hiking and skiing to board games and anime. The College encourages students to get involved in extracurricular activities to complement their academic experience, develop leadership skills, and build lasting friendships. With more than 60 student-run clubs and organizations, Champlain provides ample opportunities for students to explore their passions, whether in the arts, culture, sports, technology, or social justice.

The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the voice of the student body and plays a crucial role in advocating for student needs, organizing events, and ensuring that student concerns are heard by administrators. In addition, the Office of Sustainability supports various service-learning projects and sustainability initiatives that encourage students to engage with the local community and contribute to environmental stewardship. Last but not least, Champlain is home to an extensive eSports program, featuring three varsity teams: Rocket League, Overwatch, and Valorant. Here, gaming enthusiasts can compete in various video game tournaments, collaborate with fellow gamers, and learn more about this ever-growing industry.

Beyond formal organizations, Champlain College hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including the annual Halloween Dance, Snowball Dance, and Spring Meltdown. These events provide a platform for students to showcase their talents, celebrate diverse cultures, and relax from their academic responsibilities. The College also offers numerous intramural sports, outdoor adventures, and wellness programs to promote physical health and well-being.

Champlain's student population is summed up by one as "Champlain attracts a certain type: open, artistic, thoughtful, and intelligent," while another student is a little more blunt: "We are all nerdy in our own special way." It's a self-selective, "open-minded" population that's passionately adored by those who know what to expect: students "fit in well if they have researched the college before coming, as it is a small community within a larger community." There is "literally a bit of everything. Nerds, partiers, skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders, and hippies." Another summarizes the Champlain student body as "everyone is incredibly friendly and supportive. I love that it's large enough not to know everyone but small enough that it still feels like family." As a whole, Champlain students are "motivated and engaged." They enjoy the social opportunities afforded by Burlington and Champlain, but "are also serious about doing big things and going far in life."

The small liberal arts college in cozy Burlington, Vermont, has a heavy academic focus on the video game industry, and skiing and gaming figure prominently into Champlain's social life. "There is a lot to do in town, and on campus there are often events put on by clubs or the SGA [Student Government Association]. Every Thursday, a bus also takes students from campus to free bowling or to see a free movie at the movie theater." Students love Burlington-"full of endless opportunities for both outside and indoor activities"-and enjoy the shops and nightlife of Church Street. Both Champlain and Burlington "heavily promote sustainable living," and as such, students learn "an incredible amount about how to help and be aware of my community and ecosystem." For the dedicated skier/student, Champlain IDs will nab you discounted ski passes in the area, and "snow dictates class attendance in the spring." Overall, the outdoorsy will find plenty to love about Champlain and the mantra seems to be, "Anything to be outside." Indoors, the "laid-back" social atmosphere tends toward "play[ing] video games rather often," and "there is an excellent music scene here in Burlington."