George A. Wells Jr. House · Photo: 46percent · Public domainWestern Oregon University is 2 miles from Independence
No college sits inside Independence’s boundary, but Western Oregon University’s campus in Monmouth, with 3,007 students on campus, is 2 miles from the center of town, and Chemeketa Community College is 13.6 miles away in Salem. About 10% of Independence’s residents are enrolled in college, above 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 Independence. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Independence
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Independence
Two private colleges within 11.7 miles, one public college within 2 miles, and Chemeketa Community College 13.6 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 $75–110k, where Independence’s median household income ($85,375) 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 Independence: 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 Independence
Is Independence a college town?
No. About 10 of every 100 Independence residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Oregon (6). The nearest campus, Western Oregon University, is 2 miles away in Monmouth.
What colleges are near Independence?
Within 15 miles: Western Oregon University (2 miles, 3,007 students on campus), Willamette University (9.8 miles, 2,112), Corban University (11.7 miles, 816) and Chemeketa Community College (13.6 miles, 5,408).
What is the closest community college to Independence, and what does it cost?
Chemeketa Community College in Salem, 13.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,345 a year for Oregon residents; the federal net price, $8,200, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Western Oregon University cost if we live in Oregon?
Tuition and fees are $11,879 a year in-state and $32,534 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $15,575 (under $30,000 income) to $20,243 (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 Independence. 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 →