Historic Vermont teacher-training institution that merged into Vermont State University in 2023.
Castleton University traced its origins to 1787 as a regional grammar school preparing young men for college. The institution underwent numerous name changes through the 19th century, becoming a seminary and eventually a state normal school in 1867 to train teachers. Under Caroline S. Woodruff's leadership in the 1920s–1930s, the college modernized its curriculum incorporating John Dewey's educational philosophy and attracted notable speakers including Helen Keller and Robert Frost. The institution evolved from Castleton State College (1962) to Castleton University (2015) before merging into Vermont State University in July 2023.
At closure, Castleton offered more than 30 undergraduate programs and master's degrees across multiple disciplines. The university maintained an endowment of $7.86 million and employed approximately 80 faculty members. The institution was accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and was part of the Vermont State Colleges system, a consortium of state-supported colleges governed by a common board of trustees and chancellor.
The Castleton Spartans competed in NCAA Division III with 28 varsity sports (14 men's, 14 women's) and were members of the Little East Conference. Intercollegiate athletics began in the 1950s following increased male enrollment. The 165-acre rural campus featured the historic Old Chapel, the oldest building on campus and formerly part of Castleton Medical College (1818–1862), which had graduated more medical students than any other New England medical school of its era.
By 2020, the Vermont State Colleges system faced severe financial challenges. After initial proposals to close campuses were withdrawn amid public opposition, a committee recommended merging three four-year colleges into a single institution with multiple campuses, projected to save $25 million over five years. Castleton University ceased to exist as an independent institution in July 2023, becoming a branch campus of the newly formed Vermont State University.