Photo: TheCatalyst31 with modifications by Kbh3rd · CC BY-SA 3.0Kansas City University is 11.3 miles from Independence
No college sits inside Independence’s boundary, but Kansas City University’s campus in Kansas City, with 2,048 students on campus, is 11.3 miles from the center of town, and Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City is 12.8 miles away in Kansas City. About 4% of Independence’s residents are enrolled in college, below Missouri (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 Independence. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Independence
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Independence
Seven private colleges within 13.7 miles, one public college within 12.8 miles, and Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City 12.8 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 $48–75k, where Independence’s median household income ($60,339) 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 Independence: 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 Independence
Is Independence a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Independence residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Missouri (6). The nearest campus, Kansas City University, is 11.3 miles away in Kansas City.
What colleges are near Independence?
9 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: the University of Missouri-Kansas City (12.8 miles, 14,526 students on campus), Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City (12.8 miles, 10,237) and Rockhurst University (12.4 miles, 2,884).
What is the closest community college to Independence, and what does it cost?
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City in Kansas City, 12.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,630 a year for Missouri residents; the federal net price, $8,398, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Missouri-Kansas City cost if we live in Missouri?
Tuition and fees are $12,587 a year in-state and $30,227 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,576 (under $30,000 income) to $18,877 (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 Independence. 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 →