Photo: Mopenstein · Public domainMcDaniel College is 7.8 miles from Manchester
No college sits inside Manchester’s boundary, but McDaniel College’s campus in Westminster, with 2,144 students on campus, is 7.8 miles from the center of town, and Carroll Community College is 10.1 miles away in Westminster. About 5% of Manchester’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Maryland (7%).
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 Manchester. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Manchester
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Manchester
One private college within 7.8 miles, and Carroll Community College 10.1 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Towson University, is 23.2 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 and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Over $110k, where Manchester’s median household income ($121,676) 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: 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 Manchester
Is Manchester a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Manchester residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Maryland (7). The nearest campus, McDaniel College, is 7.8 miles away in Westminster.
What colleges are near Manchester?
Within 15 miles: McDaniel College (7.8 miles, 2,144 students on campus) and Carroll Community College (10.1 miles, 2,594).
What is the closest community college to Manchester, and what does it cost?
Carroll Community College in Westminster, 10.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,308 a year for Maryland residents; the federal net price, $2,725, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Towson University cost if we live in Maryland?
Tuition and fees are $11,728 a year in-state and $29,820 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,962 (under $30,000 income) to $26,396 (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 Manchester. 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 →