Photo: Infrogmation · CC BY 2.5Tulane University of Louisiana is 2.5 miles from Jefferson
Chamberlain University-Louisiana (498 students on campus) is inside the town, and Tulane University of Louisiana (11,335) is 2.5 miles from the center, just over the line in New Orleans. About 4% of Jefferson’s residents are enrolled in college, below Louisiana (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 Jefferson. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college in Jefferson
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Jefferson
Eight private colleges within 10.2 miles, three public colleges within 8 miles, and two 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 $48–75k, where Jefferson’s median household income ($57,235) 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 Jefferson: 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: Herzing University-New Orleans (11).
What students study in Jefferson
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Chamberlain University-Louisiana, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Biggest programs
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 Jefferson
Is Jefferson a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Jefferson residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Louisiana (6). The largest campus in the town, Chamberlain University-Louisiana, has 498 students on campus.
What colleges are in Jefferson?
Chamberlain University-Louisiana is inside the town. Tulane University of Louisiana is 2.5 miles from the center, in New Orleans, Delgado Community College is 3.6 miles from the center, in New Orleans, and Loyola University New Orleans is 2.7 miles from the center, in New Orleans.
What is the closest community college to Jefferson, and what does it cost?
Delgado Community College in New Orleans, 3.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,279 a year for Louisiana residents; the federal net price, $9,747, counts housing and food at full cost.
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 Jefferson. 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 →