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WarMonumentbyJohnWilsonDudleyMassachusetts2Photo: Hantsheroes · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Dudley

Dudley is home to Nichols College

Nichols College (1,058 students on campus) is inside the town. About 13% of Dudley’s residents are enrolled in college, above Massachusetts (8%).

Nichols College

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 Dudley. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
8,211 students on campus
Nearest college
0.7 mi
Nichols College
Residents in college
13%
Above MA (8%)
Nearest community college
19.3 mi
Quinsigamond · $6,262 tuition
Nearest public university
15.5 mi
Worcester State · $11,786 in-state
Median household income
$85K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Dudley

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

A college in DudleyNichols College has 1,058 students on campus in Dudley, 63% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Worcester StateLiving in Massachusetts, Worcester State University charges $11,786 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $17,866. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 19.3 miles awayQuinsigamond Community College in Worcester: tuition and fees $6,262 a year for Massachusetts residents.Students are 13% of residentsAbove Massachusetts (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Dudley

Three private colleges within 14.7 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Worcester State University, is 15.5 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miClark UniversityCollege of the Holy CrossNichols CollegeDudley
University or collegeCommunity college
Nichols CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,058 on campus · In Dudley81%admitted$33knet price63%graduate$58kearningsCollege of the Holy CrossUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,035 on campus · 14.3 mi · Worcester18%admitted$39knet price87%graduate$91kearningsClark UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,118 on campus · 14.7 mi · Worcester40%admitted$29knet price77%graduate$62kearnings

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 $75–110k, where Dudley’s median household income ($84,604) falls.

Worcester State University15.5 mi · Worcester · sticker $22,874$13,658a year
Clark University14.7 mi · Worcester · sticker $68,432$25,062a year
College of the Holy Cross14.3 mi · Worcester · sticker $80,334$27,711a year
Nichols CollegeIn Dudley · sticker $58,310$33,851a 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: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Nichols CollegeCollege of the Holy CrossClark UniversityWorcester State
Worcester State University61% graduate$61k earnings$20k typical debt
Clark University77% graduate$62k earnings$27k typical debt
College of the Holy Cross87% graduate$91k earnings$27k typical debt
Nichols College63% graduate$58k 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.

Majors

What students study in Dudley

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Nichols College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 61%Parks & recreation 17%Public safety 9%Psychology 7%Communication 3%Interdisciplinary 3%Everything else 0%

Biggest programs

Business/Commerce, General48 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness47 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections30 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Psychology, General26 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Marketing24 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services21 graduates a year
$79k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations17 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services16 graduates a year
$81k4 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 Dudley

Is Dudley a college town?

No. About 13 of every 100 Dudley residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Massachusetts (8). The largest campus in the town, Nichols College, has 1,058 students on campus.

What colleges are in Dudley?

Nichols College is inside the town. Quinsigamond Community College is 19.3 miles away in Worcester.

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

Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, 19.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,262 a year for Massachusetts residents; the federal net price, $9,090, counts housing and food at full cost.

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

Tuition and fees are $11,786 a year in-state and $17,866 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,793 (under $30,000 income) to $19,679 (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 Dudley. 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 →