Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainThe nearest college is 31.3 miles from Nelson
No college is within 15 miles of Nelson. The nearest is Hastings College in Hastings, NE (1,011 students on campus); Central Community College in Grand Island is 50.2 miles away and University of Nebraska at Kearney 64.2 miles.
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 Nelson. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Nelson
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Nelson
No college is within 15 miles, so this is the closest one. The map also shows the nearest community college and public university, 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, the nearest community college and the nearest public university. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Nelson’s median household income ($50,000) 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 three 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 Nelson
What is the closest college to Nelson?
Hastings College in Hastings, NE, 31.3 miles in a straight line from the center of Nelson. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Nelson, and what does it cost?
Central Community College in Grand Island, 50.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,360 a year for Nebraska residents; the federal net price, $7,024, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Nebraska at Kearney cost if we live in Nebraska?
Tuition and fees are $8,676 a year in-state and $15,284 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,066 (under $30,000 income) to $20,664 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Nelson residents are in college?
About 2 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Nebraska (7). 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 Nelson. 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 →