Photo: Andrew M. Wilson · CC BY-SA 3.0Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona is 13.4 miles from Birmingham
No college sits inside Birmingham’s boundary, but Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona’s campus in Altoona, with 2,418 students on campus, is 13.4 miles from the center of town, and Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology is 28.8 miles away in Pleasant Gap. About 4% of Birmingham’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Pennsylvania (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 Birmingham. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Birmingham
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Birmingham
One private college within 13.8 miles, and one public college within 13.4 miles.
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 $48–75k, where Birmingham’s median household income ($71,250) 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 Birmingham: 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (22).
Questions about college near Birmingham
Is Birmingham a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Birmingham residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Pennsylvania (6). The nearest campus, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona, is 13.4 miles away in Altoona.
What colleges are near Birmingham?
Within 15 miles: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona (13.4 miles, 2,418 students on campus) and Juniata College (13.8 miles, 1,259).
What is the closest community college to Birmingham, and what does it cost?
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, 28.8 miles away.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona cost if we live in Pennsylvania?
Tuition and fees are $15,972 a year in-state and $26,958 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $16,017 (under $30,000 income) to $28,263 (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 Birmingham. 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 →