Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0The nearest college is 33.9 miles from Smith Valley
No college is within 15 miles of Smith Valley. The nearest is Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA (1,994 students on campus); Western Nevada College in Carson City is 35.7 miles away and Western Nevada College 35.7 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 Smith Valley. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Smith Valley
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
The nearest college to Smith Valley
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 Smith Valley’s median household income ($67,132) 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 Smith Valley
What is the closest college to Smith Valley?
Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA, 33.9 miles in a straight line from the center of Smith Valley. No college is within 15 miles.
What is the closest community college to Smith Valley, and what does it cost?
Western Nevada College in Carson City, 35.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,168 a year for Nevada residents; the federal net price, $12,732, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Western Nevada College cost if we live in Nevada?
Tuition and fees are $4,168 a year in-state and $12,834 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,678 (under $30,000 income) to $13,645 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
How many Smith Valley residents are in college?
About 1 of every 100 (Census, 2020–24), below Nevada (5). 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 Smith Valley. 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 →