Henry and Elizabeth Berkheimer Farm · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0Messiah University is 10 miles from Washington Township
No college sits inside Washington Township’s boundary, but Messiah University’s campus in Mechanicsburg, with 2,684 students on campus, is 10 miles from the center of town, and Harrisburg Area Community College is 20.4 miles away in Harrisburg. About 2% of Washington Township’s 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 Washington Township. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Washington Township
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Washington Township
Two private colleges within 14.4 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York, is 15.5 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 and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $75–110k, where Washington Township’s median household income ($92,226) 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: 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 York (22).
Questions about college near Washington Township
Is Washington Township a college town?
No. About 2 of every 100 Washington Township residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Pennsylvania (6). The nearest campus, Messiah University, is 10 miles away in Mechanicsburg.
What colleges are near Washington Township?
Within 15 miles: Messiah University (10 miles, 2,684 students on campus) and York College of Pennsylvania (14.4 miles, 3,294).
What is the closest community college to Washington Township, and what does it cost?
Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, 20.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,975 a year for Pennsylvania residents; the federal net price, $14,471, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York cost if we live in Pennsylvania?
Tuition and fees are $15,208 a year in-state and $25,392 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,582 (under $30,000 income) to $24,411 (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 Washington Township. 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 →