Photo: DiskFool · Public domainThe College of New Jersey is 3.9 miles from Pennington
No college sits inside Pennington’s boundary, but The College of New Jersey’s campus in Ewing, with 7,570 students on campus, is 3.9 miles from the center of town, and Mercer County Community College is 8.8 miles away in West Windsor. About 2% of Pennington’s residents are enrolled in college, below New Jersey (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 Pennington. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Pennington
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Pennington
Four private colleges within 12.7 miles, one public college within 3.9 miles, and two community colleges.
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 Pennington’s median household income ($192,586) 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 Pennington: 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 Pennington
Is Pennington a college town?
No. About 2 of every 100 Pennington residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New Jersey (6). The nearest campus, The College of New Jersey, is 3.9 miles away in Ewing.
What colleges are near Pennington?
7 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Princeton University (7 miles, 8,922 students on campus), The College of New Jersey (3.9 miles, 7,570) and Mercer County Community College (8.8 miles, 5,416).
What is the closest community college to Pennington, and what does it cost?
Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, 8.8 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.
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 Pennington. 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 →