Southeast Missouri State University is 13.3 miles from Olive Branch
No college sits inside Olive Branch’s boundary, but Southeast Missouri State University’s campus in Cape Girardeau, with 7,933 students on campus, is 13.3 miles from the center of town, and Shawnee Community College is 18.4 miles away in Ullin. About 9% of Olive Branch’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as 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 Olive Branch. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Olive Branch
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Olive Branch
One private college within 13.6 miles, and one public college within 13.3 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, is 37.4 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 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.
Starts at Under $30k; the Census has no median household income for Olive Branch.
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: 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 Olive Branch
Is Olive Branch a college town?
No. About 9 of every 100 Olive Branch residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Illinois (6). The nearest campus, Southeast Missouri State University, is 13.3 miles away in Cape Girardeau.
What colleges are near Olive Branch?
Within 15 miles: Southeast Missouri State University (13.3 miles, 7,933 students on campus) and Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences (13.6 miles, 121).
What is the closest community college to Olive Branch, and what does it cost?
Shawnee Community College in Ullin, 18.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,650 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $4,162, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale cost if we live in Illinois?
Tuition and fees are $13,334 a year in-state and $13,334 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,415 (under $30,000 income) to $23,254 (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 Olive Branch. 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 →