Photo: Bob Burkhardt · CC BY 3.0Fitchburg State University is 7.6 miles from Shirley
No college sits inside Shirley’s boundary, but Fitchburg State University’s campus in Fitchburg, with 3,493 students on campus, is 7.6 miles from the center of town, and Mount Wachusett Community College is 17.5 miles away in Gardner. About 6% of Shirley’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 Shirley. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Shirley
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Shirley
One private college within 14.8 miles, and one public college within 7.6 miles.
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 Over $110k, where Shirley’s median household income ($122,365) 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 Shirley: 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 Shirley
Is Shirley a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Shirley residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Massachusetts (8). The nearest campus, Fitchburg State University, is 7.6 miles away in Fitchburg.
What colleges are near Shirley?
Within 15 miles: Fitchburg State University (7.6 miles, 3,493 students on campus) and Rivier University (14.8 miles, 2,230).
What is the closest community college to Shirley, and what does it cost?
Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, 17.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,160 a year for Massachusetts residents; the federal net price, $7,931, 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.
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 Shirley. 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 →