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Leighton-City-Hall-alPhoto: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Leighton

Northwest Shoals Community College is 9.5 miles from Leighton

No college sits inside Leighton’s boundary, but Northwest Shoals Community College’s campus in Muscle Shoals, with 3,369 students on campus, is 9.5 miles from the center of town. About 2% of Leighton’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 Leighton. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
10,037 students on campus
Nearest college
9.5 mi
Northwest Shoals
Residents in college
2%
Below AL (6%)
Nearest community college
9.5 mi
Northwest Shoals · $5,131 tuition
Nearest public university
12.1 mi
University of North Alabama · $12,120 in-state
Median household income
$34K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Leighton

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college 9.5 miles awayNorthwest Shoals Community College has 3,369 students on campus in Muscle Shoals, 39% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at University of North AlabamaLiving in Alabama, the University of North Alabama charges $12,120 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,320. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 2% of residentsBelow Alabama (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Leighton

Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Leighton.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of North AlabamaNorthwest ShoalsLeighton
University or collegeCommunity college
Northwest Shoals Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,369 on campus · 9.5 mi · Muscle Shoals$3knet price39%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,131 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of North AlabamaUniversity or college · Public · 6,668 on campus · 12.1 mi · Florence87%admitted$12knet price55%graduate$45kearnings

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 it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Leighton’s median household income ($33,894) falls.

Northwest Shoals Community College9.5 mi · Muscle Shoals · sticker $11,340 · tuition $5,131$2,081a year
University of North Alabama12.1 mi · Florence · sticker $23,786$10,127a year

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.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Leighton: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Northwest ShoalsUniversity of North Alabama
University of North Alabama55% graduate$45k earnings$22k typical debt
Northwest Shoals Community College39% graduate$34k earnings$10k typical debt

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 Leighton

Is Leighton a college town?

No. About 2 of every 100 Leighton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Alabama (6). The nearest campus, Northwest Shoals Community College, is 9.5 miles away in Muscle Shoals.

What colleges are near Leighton?

Within 15 miles: Northwest Shoals Community College (9.5 miles, 3,369 students on campus) and the University of North Alabama (12.1 miles, 6,668).

What is the closest community college to Leighton, and what does it cost?

Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, 9.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,131 a year for Alabama residents; the federal net price, $2,838, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of North Alabama cost if we live in Alabama?

Tuition and fees are $12,120 a year in-state and $22,320 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,741 (under $30,000 income) to $14,866 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Leighton. 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 →