Photo: Smallbones · Public domainCairn University-Langhorne is 5.3 miles from Bristol
No college sits inside Bristol’s boundary, but Cairn University-Langhorne’s campus in Langhorne, with 838 students on campus, is 5.3 miles from the center of town, and Orleans Technical College is 8.5 miles away in Philadelphia. About 6% of Bristol’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 Bristol. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Bristol
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Bristol
Eight private colleges within 14.7 miles, two public colleges within 13.7 miles, and five community colleges.
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 Bristol’s median household income ($76,042) 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 Bristol: 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: Lincoln Technical Institute-Philadelphia (8); Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington (22).
Questions about college near Bristol
Is Bristol a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Bristol residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Pennsylvania (6). The nearest campus, Cairn University-Langhorne, is 5.3 miles away in Langhorne.
What colleges are near Bristol?
13 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: The College of New Jersey (12.1 miles, 7,570 students on campus), Mercer County Community College (14.9 miles, 5,416) and Bucks County Community College (11.2 miles, 4,189).
What is the closest community college to Bristol, and what does it cost?
Orleans Technical College in Philadelphia, 8.5 miles away.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington cost if we live in Pennsylvania?
Tuition and fees are $15,268 a year in-state and $25,664 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,629 (under $30,000 income) to $25,785 (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 Bristol. 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 →