New Hill Historic District · Photo: KimWrenn · CC BY-SA 3.0Shepherds Theological Seminary is 7.8 miles from Apex
No college sits inside Apex’s boundary, but Shepherds Theological Seminary’s campus in Cary, with 110 students on campus, is 7.8 miles from the center of town, and Wake Technical Community College is 11.1 miles away in Raleigh. About 5% of Apex’s residents are enrolled in college, below North Carolina (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 Apex. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Apex
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Apex
Five private colleges within 14.3 miles, one public college within 12.2 miles, and Wake Technical Community College 11.1 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 Over $110k, where Apex’s median household income ($144,135) 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 Apex: 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 Apex
Is Apex a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Apex residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below North Carolina (6). The nearest campus, Shepherds Theological Seminary, is 7.8 miles away in Cary.
What colleges are near Apex?
7 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: North Carolina State University at Raleigh (12.2 miles, 34,210 students on campus), Wake Technical Community College (11.1 miles, 12,454) and Meredith College (11.8 miles, 1,561).
What is the closest community college to Apex, and what does it cost?
Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, 11.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,254 a year for North Carolina residents; the federal net price, $8,759, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does North Carolina State University at Raleigh cost if we live in North Carolina?
Tuition and fees are $8,799 a year in-state and $32,847 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,382 (under $30,000 income) to $24,652 (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 Apex. 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 →