Photo: Dennisyerger84 · CC BY-SA 3.0Purdue University Northwest is 3.9 miles from Lansing
No college sits inside Lansing’s boundary, but Purdue University Northwest’s campus in Hammond, with 7,964 students on campus, is 3.9 miles from the center of town, and South Suburban College is 4.7 miles away in South Holland. About 5% of Lansing’s residents are enrolled in college, below Illinois (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 Lansing. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Lansing
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Lansing
Five private colleges within 14.8 miles, four public colleges within 11.9 miles, and three community colleges.
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 $75–110k, where Lansing’s median household income ($75,569) 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 Lansing: 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 Lansing
Is Lansing a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Lansing residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Purdue University Northwest, is 3.9 miles away in Hammond.
What colleges are near Lansing?
12 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Purdue University Northwest (3.9 miles, 7,964 students on campus), Saint Xavier University (13.1 miles, 3,228) and South Suburban College (4.7 miles, 3,085).
What is the closest community college to Lansing, and what does it cost?
South Suburban College in South Holland, 4.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,093 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $3,242, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Chicago State University cost if we live in Illinois?
Tuition and fees are $12,754 a year in-state and $12,754 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,073 (under $30,000 income) to $28,427 (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 Lansing. 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 →