Photo: M.O. Stevens · Public domainPacific University is 6.2 miles from Gaston
No college sits inside Gaston’s boundary, but Pacific University’s campus in Forest Grove, with 3,201 students on campus, is 6.2 miles from the center of town, and Portland Community College is 20.1 miles away in Portland. About 6% of Gaston’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Oregon (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 Gaston. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Gaston
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Gaston
Two private colleges within 12.5 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Oregon Health & Science University, is 22.7 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 Over $110k, where Gaston’s median household income ($125,625) 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 Gaston
Is Gaston a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Gaston residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Oregon (6). The nearest campus, Pacific University, is 6.2 miles away in Forest Grove.
What colleges are near Gaston?
Within 15 miles: Pacific University (6.2 miles, 3,201 students on campus) and George Fox University (12.5 miles, 3,749).
What is the closest community college to Gaston, and what does it cost?
Portland Community College in Portland, 20.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,220 a year for Oregon residents; the federal net price, $10,405, 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 Gaston. 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 →