University at Buffalo is 9.9 miles from Rapids
No college sits inside Rapids’ boundary, but University at Buffalo’s campus in Buffalo, with 29,624 students on campus, is 9.9 miles from the center of town, and Niagara County Community College is 12.2 miles away in Sanborn. About 1% of Rapids’ 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 Rapids. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Rapids
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Rapids
Two private colleges within 15 miles, one public college within 9.9 miles, and Niagara County Community College 12.2 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. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Over $110k, where Rapids’ median household income ($121,875) 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 Rapids: 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 Rapids
Is Rapids a college town?
No. About 1 of every 100 Rapids residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New York (7). The nearest campus, University at Buffalo, is 9.9 miles away in Buffalo.
What colleges are near Rapids?
Within 15 miles: University at Buffalo (9.9 miles, 29,624 students on campus), Daemen University (11.7 miles, 1,924), Niagara County Community College (12.2 miles, 3,740) and Villa Maria College (15 miles, 543).
What is the closest community college to Rapids, and what does it cost?
Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, 12.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,894 a year for New York residents; the federal net price, $6,876, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does University at Buffalo cost if we live in New York?
Tuition and fees are $10,936 a year in-state and $31,536 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $14,668 (under $30,000 income) to $28,079 (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 Rapids. 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 →