Photo: Nyttend · Public domainAshland University is 8.3 miles from Polk
No college sits inside Polk’s boundary, but Ashland University’s campus in Ashland, with 3,150 students on campus, is 8.3 miles from the center of town, and Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is 19.2 miles away in Wooster. About 1% of Polk’s residents are enrolled in college, below Ohio (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 Polk. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Polk
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Polk
One private college within 8.3 miles. The nearest public four-year college, North Central State College, is 22 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 $48–75k, where Polk’s median household income ($68,125) 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 Polk
Is Polk a college town?
No. About 1 of every 100 Polk residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Ohio (6). The nearest campus, Ashland University, is 8.3 miles away in Ashland.
What colleges are near Polk?
Within 15 miles: Ashland University (8.3 miles, 3,150 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Polk, and what does it cost?
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, 19.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $9,584 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $17,809, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does North Central State College cost if we live in Ohio?
Tuition and fees are $4,624 a year in-state and $9,103 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $3,344 (under $30,000 income) to $7,248 (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 Polk. 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 →