Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0Polk State College is 6.3 miles from Waverly
No college sits inside Waverly’s boundary, but Polk State College’s campus in Winter Haven, with 4,687 students on campus, is 6.3 miles from the center of town, and Valencia College is 38.2 miles away in Orlando. About 0% of Waverly’s 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 Waverly. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Waverly
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Waverly
Two private colleges within 11.6 miles, and one public college within 6.3 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 Under $30k; the Census has no median household income for Waverly.
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 Waverly: 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 Waverly
Is Waverly a college town?
No. About 0 of every 100 Waverly residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Florida (6). The nearest campus, Polk State College, is 6.3 miles away in Winter Haven.
What colleges are near Waverly?
Within 15 miles: Polk State College (6.3 miles, 4,687 students on campus), Warner University (11.2 miles, 684) and Webber International University (11.6 miles, 848).
What is the closest community college to Waverly, and what does it cost?
Valencia College in Orlando, 38.2 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 Waverly. 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 →