Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is 13.9 miles from Eau Claire
No college sits inside Eau Claire’s boundary, but Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania’s campus in Slippery Rock, with 7,094 students on campus, is 13.9 miles from the center of town, and Butler County Community College is 22 miles away in Butler. About 4% of Eau Claire’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 Eau Claire. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Eau Claire
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Eau Claire
One private college within 14.8 miles, and one public college within 13.9 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 Eau Claire’s median household income ($61,719) 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 Eau Claire: 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 Eau Claire
Is Eau Claire a college town?
No. About 4 of every 100 Eau Claire residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Pennsylvania (6). The nearest campus, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, is 13.9 miles away in Slippery Rock.
What colleges are near Eau Claire?
Within 15 miles: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (13.9 miles, 7,094 students on campus) and Grove City College (14.8 miles, 2,251).
What is the closest community college to Eau Claire, and what does it cost?
Butler County Community College in Butler, 22 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,910 a year for Pennsylvania residents; the federal net price, $6,233, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania cost if we live in Pennsylvania?
Tuition and fees are $10,568 a year in-state and $14,676 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $12,555 (under $30,000 income) to $24,121 (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 Eau Claire. 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 →