Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Connecticut College is 10.9 miles from Salem
No college sits inside Salem’s boundary, but Connecticut College’s campus in New London, with 1,995 students on campus, is 10.9 miles from the center of town, and Connecticut State Community College is 28.8 miles away in New Britain. About 6% of Salem’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Connecticut (7%).
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 Salem. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Salem
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Salem
Two private colleges within 14 miles, and one public college within 11.3 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 Over $110k, where Salem’s median household income ($123,245) 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 Salem: 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 Salem
Is Salem a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Salem residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Connecticut (7). The nearest campus, Connecticut College, is 10.9 miles away in New London.
What colleges are near Salem?
Within 15 miles: Connecticut College (10.9 miles, 1,995 students on campus), United States Coast Guard Academy (11.3 miles, 1,081) and Mitchell College (14 miles, 500).
What is the closest community college to Salem, and what does it cost?
Connecticut State Community College in New Britain, 28.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,338 a year for Connecticut residents; the federal net price, $11,513, counts housing and food at full cost.
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 Salem. 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 →