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Main Street, Ayer MAPhoto: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Ayer

Fitchburg State University is 11 miles from Ayer

No college sits inside Ayer’s boundary, but Fitchburg State University’s campus in Fitchburg, with 3,493 students on campus, is 11 miles from the center of town, and Middlesex Community College is 15.6 miles away in Bedford. About 4% of Ayer’s residents are enrolled in college, below Massachusetts (8%).

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 Ayer. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
17,465 students on campus
Nearest college
11 mi
Fitchburg State
Residents in college
4%
Below MA (8%)
Nearest community college
15.6 mi
Middlesex · $6,048 tuition
Nearest public university
11 mi
Fitchburg State · $11,346 in-state
Median household income
$102K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Ayer

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university 11 miles awayFitchburg State University has 3,493 students on campus in Fitchburg, 55% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Fitchburg StateLiving in Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University charges $11,346 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $17,426. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 15.6 miles awayMiddlesex Community College in Bedford: tuition and fees $6,048 a year for Massachusetts residents.Students are 4% of residentsBelow Massachusetts (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Ayer

One private college within 13.3 miles, and two public colleges within 14 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Massachusetts-LowellFitchburg StateRivier UniversityAyer
University or collegeCommunity college
Fitchburg State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 3,493 on campus · 11 mi · Fitchburg87%admitted$14knet price55%graduate$54kearningsRivier UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,230 on campus · 13.3 mi · Nashua, NH83%admitted$28knet price52%graduate$52kearningsUniversity of Massachusetts-LowellUniversity or college · Public · 11,742 on campus · 14 mi · Lowell83%admitted$17knet price65%graduate$65kearnings

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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Ayer’s median household income ($101,875) falls.

Fitchburg State University11 mi · Fitchburg · sticker $25,555$15,571a year
University of Massachusetts-Lowell14 mi · Lowell · sticker $30,786$16,460a year
Rivier University13.3 mi · Nashua, NH · sticker $53,499$27,352a year

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 within 15 miles of Ayer: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Fitchburg StateRivier UniversityUniversity of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of Massachusetts-Lowell65% graduate$65k earnings$24k typical debt
Fitchburg State University55% graduate$54k earnings$24k typical debt
Rivier University52% graduate$52k earnings$27k 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.

Questions about college near Ayer

Is Ayer a college town?

No. About 4 of every 100 Ayer residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Massachusetts (8). The nearest campus, Fitchburg State University, is 11 miles away in Fitchburg.

What colleges are near Ayer?

Within 15 miles: Fitchburg State University (11 miles, 3,493 students on campus), Rivier University (13.3 miles, 2,230) and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (14 miles, 11,742).

What is the closest community college to Ayer, and what does it cost?

Middlesex Community College in Bedford, 15.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,048 a year for Massachusetts residents; the federal net price, $2,624, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Fitchburg State University cost if we live in Massachusetts?

Tuition and fees are $11,346 a year in-state and $17,426 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,204 (under $30,000 income) to $21,123 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Ayer. 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 →