The present invention relates to a copolymer for use in paints, resists, and the like; a method for manufacturing the same; and a resist composition using the same. The copolymer according to the present invention is obtained by means of polymerizing at least one monomer containing an alicyclic structure and one monomer containing a lactone structure, and the distribution of the copolymer composition of said monomer containing a lactone structure in said copolymer is in the range of −10 to +10 mol % of the average copolymer composition of said monomer containing a lactone structure in said entire copolymer. In addition, the copolymer according to the present invention is obtained by means of polymerizing a monomer containing an alicyclic structure, a monomer containing a lactone structure, and another vinyl monomer comprising a higher polarity than said monomer containing an alicyclic structure, but a lower polarity than said monomer containing a lactone structure. The copolymer according to the present invention exhibits superior adhesion properties to surfaces possessing a high polarity, such as metal surfaces and the like, in addition to excellent hydrophobic and thermal resistance properties, and also displays a favorable solubility in solvents used for paints, resists, and the like.