Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY 3.0Empire State University is 13.2 miles from Galway
No college sits inside Galway’s boundary, but Empire State University’s campus in Saratoga Springs, with 768 students on campus, is 13.2 miles from the center of town, and Fulton-Montgomery Community College is 13.6 miles away in Johnstown. About 8% of Galway’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as New York (7%).
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 Galway. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Galway
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Galway
Two private colleges within 14.8 miles, one public college within 13.2 miles, and two community colleges. The nearest public four-year college, University at Albany, is 25.3 miles away.
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 and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Galway’s median household income ($82,500) 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: 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 Galway
Is Galway a college town?
No. About 8 of every 100 Galway residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as New York (7). The nearest campus, Empire State University, is 13.2 miles away in Saratoga Springs.
What colleges are near Galway?
Within 15 miles: Empire State University (13.2 miles, 768 students on campus), Skidmore College (13.6 miles, 2,776), Fulton-Montgomery Community College (13.6 miles, 1,685), Schenectady County Community College (14.7 miles, 3,438) and Union College (14.8 miles, 2,082).
What is the closest community college to Galway, and what does it cost?
Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, 13.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,198 a year for New York residents; the federal net price, $6,696, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does University at Albany cost if we live in New York?
Tuition and fees are $10,866 a year in-state and $31,256 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,112 (under $30,000 income) to $24,085 (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 Galway. 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 →