Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Colorado Mesa University is 5 miles from Clifton
No college sits inside Clifton’s boundary, but Colorado Mesa University’s campus in Grand Junction, with 8,322 students on campus, is 5 miles from the center of town, and Colorado Northwestern Community College is 71.6 miles away in Rangely. About 3% of Clifton’s residents are enrolled in college, below Colorado (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 Clifton. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Clifton
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Clifton
One private college within 4.7 miles, and one public college within 5 miles.
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. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Clifton’s median household income ($52,100) 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 within 15 miles of Clifton: 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 Clifton
Is Clifton a college town?
No. About 3 of every 100 Clifton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Colorado (6). The nearest campus, Intellitec College-Grand Junction, is 4.7 miles away in Grand Junction.
What colleges are near Clifton?
Within 15 miles: Intellitec College-Grand Junction (4.7 miles, 1,160 students on campus) and Colorado Mesa University (5 miles, 8,322).
What is the closest community college to Clifton, and what does it cost?
Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, 71.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,594 a year for Colorado residents; the federal net price, $12,131, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Colorado Mesa University cost if we live in Colorado?
Tuition and fees are $9,927 a year in-state and $25,124 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,792 (under $30,000 income) to $20,606 (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 Clifton. 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 →