Photo: Mvincec · Public domainLa Roche University is 8.9 miles from Mars
No college sits inside Mars’ boundary, but La Roche University’s campus in Pittsburgh, with 2,550 students on campus, is 8.9 miles from the center of town, and Butler County Community College is 10.6 miles away in Butler. About 2% of Mars’ residents are enrolled in college, below 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 Mars. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Mars
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Mars
One private college within 8.9 miles, one public college within 14.8 miles, and Butler County Community College 10.6 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 $48–75k, where Mars’ median household income ($50,938) 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 Mars: 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 Beaver (22).
Questions about college near Mars
Is Mars a college town?
No. About 2 of every 100 Mars residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Pennsylvania (6). The nearest campus, La Roche University, is 8.9 miles away in Pittsburgh.
What colleges are near Mars?
Within 15 miles: La Roche University (8.9 miles, 2,550 students on campus), Butler County Community College (10.6 miles, 2,165) and Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver (14.8 miles, 501).
What is the closest community college to Mars, and what does it cost?
Butler County Community College in Butler, 10.6 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 Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver cost if we live in Pennsylvania?
Tuition and fees are $14,408 a year in-state and $24,134 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,228 (under $30,000 income) to $22,285 (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 Mars. 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 →