Space Launch Complex 10 · Photo: U.S. Air Force · Public domainThe nearest college is 15.1 miles from Vandenberg AFB
No college is within 15 miles of Vandenberg AFB. The nearest is San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria in Santa Maria, CA (163 students on campus); Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria is 15.7 miles away and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 40.4 miles.
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 Vandenberg AFB. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Vandenberg AFB
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Vandenberg AFB
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college and public university, priced below.
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 nearest college, the nearest community college and the nearest public university. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Vandenberg AFB’s median household income ($84,167) 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?
The same three colleges: 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria (14).
Questions about college near Vandenberg AFB
What is the closest college to Vandenberg AFB?
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria in Santa Maria, CA, 15.1 miles in a straight line from the center of Vandenberg AFB. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Vandenberg AFB, and what does it cost?
Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, 15.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,156 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $5,383, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo cost if we live in California?
Tuition and fees are $13,596 a year in-state and $34,665 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,529 (under $30,000 income) to $27,772 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Vandenberg AFB residents are in college?
About 14 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), above California (8). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
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 Vandenberg AFB. 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 →