Photo: Pvmoutside at English Wikipedia · Public domainWorcester State University is 4 miles from Leicester
No college sits inside Leicester’s boundary, but Worcester State University’s campus in Worcester, with 4,994 students on campus, is 4 miles from the center of town, and Quinsigamond Community College is 7.9 miles away in Worcester. About 6% of Leicester’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as 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 Leicester. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Leicester
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Leicester
Six private colleges within 13.5 miles, two public colleges within 8.2 miles, and Quinsigamond Community College 7.9 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. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Leicester’s median household income ($105,173) 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 Leicester: 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 Leicester
Is Leicester a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Leicester residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Massachusetts (8). The nearest campus, Worcester State University, is 4 miles away in Worcester.
What colleges are near Leicester?
9 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (5.9 miles, 6,695 students on campus), Quinsigamond Community College (7.9 miles, 5,550) and Worcester State University (4 miles, 4,994).
What is the closest community college to Leicester, and what does it cost?
Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, 7.9 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.
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 Leicester. 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 →