Photo: Binksternet · Public domainDominican University of California is 7.4 miles from Novato
No college sits inside Novato’s boundary, but Dominican University of California’s campus in San Rafael, with 1,699 students on campus, is 7.4 miles from the center of town, and College of Marin is 9.2 miles away in Kentfield. About 5% of Novato’s residents are enrolled in college, below California (8%).
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 Novato. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Novato
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Novato
Two private colleges within 8 miles, and two community colleges. The nearest public four-year college, California State University Maritime Academy, is 17.3 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 Novato’s median household income ($115,736) 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 Novato
Is Novato a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Novato residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below California (8). The nearest campus, Dominican University of California, is 7.4 miles away in San Rafael.
What colleges are near Novato?
Within 15 miles: Dominican University of California (7.4 miles, 1,699 students on campus), Presidio Graduate School (8 miles, 103), College of Marin (9.2 miles, 4,093) and Contra Costa College (14 miles, 3,192).
What is the closest community college to Novato, and what does it cost?
College of Marin in Kentfield, 9.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,558 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $12,351, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does California State University Maritime Academy cost if we live in California?
Tuition and fees are $9,944 a year in-state and $22,544 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,552 (under $30,000 income) to $24,911 (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 Novato. 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 →