Vital started 10 games as a freshman and averaged 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, though the Huskies finished with a 16–17 overall record, the program's first losing season in 30 years. On November 19, 2017, Vital scored a career-high 30 points in a 85–66 win over Boston University. As a sophomore, Vital averaged 14.9 points, a team-leading 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Following the season he declared for the 2018 NBA draft, but opted to return to UConn, citing "unfinished business." Vital averaged 14.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior while leading the Huskies with 52 steals. As a senior, Vital averaged 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He was named to the First Team All-American Athletic Conference. Vital scored 1,735 points in his UConn career, hitting an AAC-record 265 three-pointers.