Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0Samford University is 13.9 miles from Chelsea
No college sits inside Chelsea’s boundary, but Samford University’s campus in Birmingham, with 5,725 students on campus, is 13.9 miles from the center of town, and Lawson State Community College is 18.4 miles away in Birmingham. About 4% of Chelsea’s residents are enrolled in college, below Alabama (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Chelsea. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Chelsea
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Chelsea
One private college within 13.9 miles. The nearest public four-year college, University of Alabama at Birmingham, is 16 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Over $110k, where Chelsea’s median household income ($115,337) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Chelsea
Is Chelsea a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Chelsea residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Alabama (6). The nearest campus, Samford University, is 13.9 miles away in Birmingham.
What colleges are near Chelsea?
Within 15 miles: Samford University (13.9 miles, 5,725 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Chelsea, and what does it cost?
Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, 18.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,040 a year for Alabama residents; the federal net price, $6,275, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Alabama at Birmingham cost if we live in Alabama?
Tuition and fees are $9,098 a year in-state and $22,562 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $16,172 (under $30,000 income) to $22,597 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Chelsea. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →