Western Connecticut State University is 13.8 miles from Pawling
No college sits inside Pawling’s boundary, but Western Connecticut State University’s campus in Danbury, with 3,833 students on campus, is 13.8 miles from the center of town, and Dutchess Community College is 19.3 miles away in Poughkeepsie. About 4% of Pawling’s residents are enrolled in college, below 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 Pawling. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Pawling
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Pawling
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Pawling.
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 Pawling’s median household income ($86,792) 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 Pawling
Is Pawling a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Pawling residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New York (7). The nearest campus, Western Connecticut State University, is 13.8 miles away in Danbury.
What colleges are near Pawling?
Within 15 miles: Western Connecticut State University (13.8 miles, 3,833 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Pawling, and what does it cost?
Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, 19.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,670 a year for New York residents; the federal net price, $10,065, counts housing and food at full cost.
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 Pawling. 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 →