Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Westfield State University is 3.5 miles from Russell
No college sits inside Russell’s boundary, but Westfield State University’s campus in Westfield, with 4,019 students on campus, is 3.5 miles from the center of town, and Holyoke Community College is 10.6 miles away in Holyoke. About 4% of Russell’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 Russell. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Russell
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Russell
One private college within 13 miles, one public college within 3.5 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 $75–110k, where Russell’s median household income ($108,750) 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 Russell: 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 Russell
Is Russell a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Russell residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Massachusetts (8). The nearest campus, Westfield State University, is 3.5 miles away in Westfield.
What colleges are near Russell?
Within 15 miles: Westfield State University (3.5 miles, 4,019 students on campus), Holyoke Community College (10.6 miles, 2,424), College of Our Lady of the Elms (13 miles, 1,066) and Springfield Technical Community College (14.6 miles, 2,845).
What is the closest community college to Russell, and what does it cost?
Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, 10.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,988 a year for Massachusetts residents; the federal net price, $8,068, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Westfield State University cost if we live in Massachusetts?
Tuition and fees are $12,179 a year in-state and $18,259 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,751 (under $30,000 income) to $23,286 (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 Russell. 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 →