Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0The nearest college is 17.6 miles from Highlands
No college is within 15 miles of Highlands. The nearest is Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC (8,805 students on campus); Southwestern Community College in Sylva is 20.4 miles away.
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 Highlands. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Highlands
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Highlands
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college, priced below.
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 nearest college and the nearest community college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Highlands’ median household income ($71,509) 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?
The same two colleges: 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 Highlands
What is the closest college to Highlands?
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, 17.6 miles in a straight line from the center of Highlands. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Highlands, and what does it cost?
Southwestern Community College in Sylva, 20.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,112 a year for North Carolina residents; the federal net price, $5,207, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Western Carolina University cost if we live in North Carolina?
Tuition and fees are $4,630 a year in-state and $8,630 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,816 (under $30,000 income) to $17,992 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Highlands residents are in college?
About 7 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), about the same as North Carolina (6). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
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 Highlands. 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 →