No college sits inside Lemont’s boundary, but Lewis University’s campus in Romeoville, with 5,289 students on campus, is 6.5 miles from the center of town, and Moraine Valley Community College is 7.8 miles away in Palos Hills. About 5% of Lemont’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 Lemont. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
14
53,603 students on campus
Nearest college
6.5 mi
Lewis University
Residents in college
5%
Below IL (6%)
Nearest community college
7.8 mi
Moraine Valley · $3,822 tuition
Nearest public university
19.7 mi
Chicago State · $12,754 in-state
Median household income
$123K
prices below start here
What stands out about college from Lemont
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
11 private colleges within 14.2 miles, and three community colleges. The nearest public four-year college, Chicago State University, is 19.7 miles away.
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 it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at Over $110k, where Lemont’s median household income ($123,370) 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.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
College of DuPage25% graduate$47k earnings$10k typical debt
Moraine Valley Community College40% graduate$44k earnings$10k typical debt
Lewis University67% graduate$66k earnings$22k typical debt
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College27% graduate$38k earnings$4k typical debt
Saint Xavier University57% graduate$59k earnings$22k typical debt
North Central College64% graduate$60k earnings$24k typical debt
Trinity Christian College58% graduate$56k earnings$25k typical debt
Fox College71% graduate$42k earnings$16k typical debt
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: DeVry University-Illinois (11).
Questions about college near Lemont
Is Lemont a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Lemont residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Lewis University, is 6.5 miles away in Romeoville.
What colleges are near Lemont?
14 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: College of DuPage (12.9 miles, 18,795 students on campus), Moraine Valley Community College (7.8 miles, 9,764) and Lewis University (6.5 miles, 5,289).
What is the closest community college to Lemont, and what does it cost?
Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, 7.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,822 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $2,829, 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 Lemont. 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 →
Photo: Oakus53 · CC BY-SA 4.0