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Rider University plantingPhoto: David Keddie · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Lawrence Township

Lawrence Township is home to Rider University

Rider University (3,684 students on campus) is inside the town, and Princeton University (8,922) is 4.9 miles from the center, just over the line in Princeton. About 12% of Lawrence Township’s residents are enrolled in college, above New Jersey (6%).

Rider UniversityThe College of New JerseyMercer County Community CollegePrinceton University

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 Lawrence Township. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
7
30,893 students on campus
Nearest college
1.5 mi
Rider University
Residents in college
12%
Above NJ (6%)
Nearest community college
4.6 mi
Mercer County · $5,310 tuition
Nearest public university
3.6 mi
The College of New Jersey · $19,632 in-state
Median household income
$130K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Lawrence Township

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Four colleges within 4.9 milesRider University admits 79% of applicants; The College of New Jersey admits 62%; Princeton University admits 5%. Together they have 25,592 students on campus.In-state price at The College of New JerseyLiving in New Jersey, The College of New Jersey charges $19,632 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $25,752. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 4.6 miles awayMercer County Community College in West Windsor: tuition and fees $5,310 a year for New Jersey residents.Students are 12% of residentsAbove New Jersey (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Lawrence Township

Four private colleges within 13.4 miles, one public college within 3.6 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miPrinceton UniversityThe College of New JerseyMercer CountyLawrence Township
University or collegeCommunity college
Rider UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,684 on campus · In Lawrence Township79%admitted$25knet price61%graduate$62kearningsThe College of New JerseyUniversity or college · Public · 7,570 on campus · 3.6 mi · Ewing62%admitted$28knet price86%graduate$73kearningsPrinceton Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 274 on campus · 4.5 mi · PrincetonGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Mercer County Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,416 on campus · 4.6 mi · West Windsor$5knet price25%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $5,310 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Princeton UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 8,922 on campus · 4.9 mi · Princeton5%admitted$6knet price98%graduate$110kearningsCairn University-LanghorneUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 838 on campus · 13.4 mi · Langhorne, PA88%admitted$28knet price60%graduate$44kearningsBucks County Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,189 on campus · 13.5 mi · Newtown, PA$6knet price32%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $5,683 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at Over $110k, where Lawrence Township’s median household income ($130,142) falls.

Bucks County Community College13.5 mi · Newtown, PA · sticker $11,688 · tuition $5,683$11,581a year
Mercer County Community College4.6 mi · West Windsor · sticker $12,545 · tuition $5,310$12,545a year
Rider UniversityIn Lawrence Township · sticker $55,967$31,574a year
Cairn University-Langhorne13.4 mi · Langhorne, PA · sticker $46,233$33,129a year
The College of New Jersey3.6 mi · Ewing · sticker $38,860$35,222a year
Princeton University4.9 mi · Princeton · sticker $84,040$36,094a year

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.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Lawrence Township: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Rider UniversityThe College of New JerseyMercer CountyPrinceton UniversityCairn University-LanghorneBucks County
Princeton University98% graduate$110k earnings$10k typical debt
The College of New Jersey86% graduate$73k earnings$23k typical debt
Mercer County Community College25% graduate$43k earnings$10k typical debt
Bucks County Community College32% graduate$47k earnings$12k typical debt
Rider University61% graduate$62k earnings$26k typical debt
Cairn University-Langhorne60% graduate$44k earnings$27k typical debt

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.

Majors

What students study in Lawrence Township

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Rider University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 31%Visual & performing arts 14%Psychology 10%Education 7%Computer science 7%Public safety 6%Everything else 25%

Biggest programs

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods78 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Psychology, General74 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations66 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services49 graduates a year
$88k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections40 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services39 graduates a year
$92k4 yrs out
Marketing34 graduates a year
$67k4 yrs out
Music31 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Lawrence Township

Is Lawrence Township a college town?

No. About 12 of every 100 Lawrence Township residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above New Jersey (6). The largest campus in the town, Rider University, has 3,684 students on campus.

What colleges are in Lawrence Township?

Rider University is inside the town. Princeton University is 4.9 miles from the center, in Princeton, The College of New Jersey is 3.6 miles from the center, in Ewing Township, and Mercer County Community College is 4.6 miles from the center, in West Windsor Township.

What is the closest community college to Lawrence Township, and what does it cost?

Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, 4.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,310 a year for New Jersey residents; the federal net price, $5,279, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does The College of New Jersey cost if we live in New Jersey?

Tuition and fees are $19,632 a year in-state and $25,752 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,908 (under $30,000 income) to $35,222 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Lawrence Township. 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 →