Photo: Averette · CC BY 3.0Warner University is 6.5 miles from Lake Wales
No college sits inside Lake Wales’ boundary, but Warner University’s campus in Lake Wales, with 684 students on campus, is 6.5 miles from the center of town, and Valencia College is 42.3 miles away in Orlando. About 5% of Lake Wales’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Florida (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 Lake Wales. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Lake Wales
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Lake Wales
Two private colleges within 7 miles, and one public college within 10.3 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 $48–75k, where Lake Wales’ median household income ($56,347) 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 Lake Wales: 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: Webber International University (2).
Questions about college near Lake Wales
Is Lake Wales a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Lake Wales residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Florida (6). The nearest campus, Warner University, is 6.5 miles away in Lake Wales.
What colleges are near Lake Wales?
Within 15 miles: Warner University (6.5 miles, 684 students on campus), Webber International University (7 miles, 848) and Polk State College (10.3 miles, 4,687).
What is the closest community college to Lake Wales, and what does it cost?
Valencia College in Orlando, 42.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,664 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $12,037, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Polk State College cost if we live in Florida?
Tuition and fees are $2,694 a year in-state and $9,817 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,446 (under $30,000 income) to $7,464 (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 Lake Wales. 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 →