Wheaton College (2,613 students on campus) is inside the city, and College of DuPage (18,795) is 2.2 miles from the center, just over the line in Glen Ellyn. About 11% of Wheaton’s residents are enrolled in college, above 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 Wheaton. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
13
52,699 students on campus
Nearest college
1 mi
Wheaton College
Residents in college
11%
Above IL (6%)
Nearest community college
2.2 mi
College of DuPage · $4,560 tuition
Nearest public university
21.8 mi
Northeastern Illinois University · $12,383 in-state
Median household income
$120K
prices below start here
What stands out about college in Wheaton
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
11 private colleges within 15 miles, and two community colleges. The nearest public four-year college, Northeastern Illinois University, is 21.8 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 Wheaton’s median household income ($120,008) 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
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); Chamberlain University-Illinois (15); Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park (8).
Majors
What students study in Wheaton
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Wheaton College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Social sciences 19%Business 12%Biology 12%English 8%Visual & performing arts 6%Psychology 5%Everything else 38%
Biggest programs
Business/Managerial Economics74 graduates a year
$80k4 yrs out
Psychology, General56 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
English Language and Literature, General35 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies34 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Economics31 graduates a year
$85k4 yrs out
Music28 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods26 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics26 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in Wheaton
Is Wheaton a college town?
No. About 11 of every 100 Wheaton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Illinois (6). The largest campus in the city, Wheaton College, has 2,613 students on campus.
What colleges are in Wheaton?
Wheaton College is inside the city. College of DuPage is 2.2 miles from the center, in Glen Ellyn.
What is the closest community college to Wheaton, and what does it cost?
College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, 2.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,560 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $7,401, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Northeastern Illinois University cost if we live in Illinois?
Tuition and fees are $12,383 a year in-state and $22,726 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,709 (under $30,000 income) to $25,001 (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 Wheaton. 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: Sea Cow · CC BY-SA 4.0