Photo: 123dieinafire · Public domainAnoka-Ramsey Community College is 13 miles from Columbus
No college sits inside Columbus’ boundary, but Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s campus in Coon Rapids, with 5,688 students on campus, is 13 miles from the center of town. About 1% of Columbus’ residents are enrolled in college, below Minnesota (6%).
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 Columbus. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Columbus
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Columbus
One private college within 13.8 miles, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College 13 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, is 20.3 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 Columbus’ median household income ($123,194) 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2).
Questions about college near Columbus
Is Columbus a college town?
No. About 1 of every 100 Columbus residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Minnesota (6). The nearest campus, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, is 13 miles away in Coon Rapids.
What colleges are near Columbus?
Within 15 miles: Anoka-Ramsey Community College (13 miles, 5,688 students on campus) and Bethel University (13.8 miles, 2,500).
What is the closest community college to Columbus, and what does it cost?
Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, 13 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,682 a year for Minnesota residents; the federal net price, $16,434, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities cost if we live in Minnesota?
Tuition and fees are $17,214 a year in-state and $38,362 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,642 (under $30,000 income) to $27,008 (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 Columbus. 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 →