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Highlands CDP, CaliforniaPhoto: Us Census Bureau · Public domain
Colleges in and near Highlands

College of San Mateo is 1.2 miles from Highlands

No college sits inside Highlands’ boundary, but College of San Mateo’s campus in San Mateo, with 6,728 students on campus, is 1.2 miles from the center of town. About 9% of Highlands’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

College of San Mateo

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 Highlands. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
10
40,073 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
College of San Mateo
Residents in college
9%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
1.2 mi
College of San Mateo · $1,332 tuition
Nearest public university
10.1 mi
Skyline College · $1,272 in-state
Median household income
$250K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Highlands

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

A community college 1.2 miles awayCollege of San Mateo has 6,728 students on campus in San Mateo, 61% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at Skyline CollegeLiving in California, Skyline College charges $1,272 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,956. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 9% of residentsAbout the same as California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Highlands

Seven private colleges within 14.9 miles, and three community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miStanford UniversityCollege of San MateoSkyline CollegeHighlands
University or collegeCommunity college
College of San MateoCommunity college · Public · 6,728 on campus · 1.2 mi · San Mateo$1knet price61%graduate$54kearningsTuition and fees: $1,332 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Notre Dame de Namur UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 205 on campus · 3.4 mi · Belmont7%graduate$75kearningsAlder Graduate School of EducationUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 453 on campus · 6.3 mi · Redwood CityGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Canada CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,636 on campus · 6.6 mi · Redwood City$0knet price47%graduate$50kearningsTuition and fees: $1,332 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Menlo CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 840 on campus · 9.7 mi · Atherton68%admitted$31knet price54%graduate$76kearningsSkyline CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,706 on campus · 10.1 mi · San Bruno$2knet price44%graduate$56kearningsTuition and fees: $1,272 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Stanford UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 18,233 on campus · 11.6 mi · Stanford4%admitted$14knet price92%graduate$124kearningsPalo Alto UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 664 on campus · 12.9 mi · Palo Alto$83kearningsSofia UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 995 on campus · 14.4 mi · Palo AltoLife Chiropractic College WestUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 613 on campus · 14.9 mi · HaywardGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.

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 Over $110k, where Highlands’ median household income ($250,001) falls.

Skyline College10.1 mi · San Bruno · sticker $11,880 · tuition $1,272$5,974a year
Menlo College9.7 mi · Atherton · sticker $72,020$37,298a year
Stanford University11.6 mi · Stanford · sticker $87,833$53,882a year
College of San Mateo1.2 mi · San Mateo · sticker $10,837 · tuition $1,332—a year
Canada College6.6 mi · Redwood City · sticker $9,087 · tuition $1,332—a 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 Highlands: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k$140k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →College of San MateoNotre Dame de Namur UniversityCanada CollegeMenlo CollegeSkyline CollegeStanford University
Stanford University92% graduate$124k earnings$12k typical debt
College of San Mateo61% graduate$54k earnings$15k typical debt
Skyline College44% graduate$56k earnings
Canada College47% graduate$50k earnings
Menlo College54% graduate$76k earnings$22k typical debt
Notre Dame de Namur University7% graduate$75k earnings$25k 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 Highlands

Is Highlands a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Highlands residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The nearest campus, College of San Mateo, is 1.2 miles away in San Mateo.

What colleges are near Highlands?

10 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Stanford University (11.6 miles, 18,233 students on campus), College of San Mateo (1.2 miles, 6,728) and Skyline College (10.1 miles, 5,706).

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

College of San Mateo in San Mateo, 1.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,332 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $536, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Skyline College cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $1,272 a year in-state and $9,956 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $842 (under $30,000 income) to $5,974 (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 Highlands. 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 →