Arcola Slave Quarters · Photo: Cecouchman · CC BY-SA 3.0George Mason University is 14.5 miles from Arcola
No college sits inside Arcola’s boundary, but George Mason University’s campus in Fairfax, with 32,320 students on campus, is 14.5 miles from the center of town, and Northern Virginia Community College is 17.7 miles away in Annandale. About 8% of Arcola’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Virginia (7%).
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 Arcola. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Arcola
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Arcola
It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Arcola.
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 Over $110k, where Arcola’s median household income ($129,116) 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 Arcola: 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 Arcola
Is Arcola a college town?
No. About 8 of every 100 Arcola residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Virginia (7). The nearest campus, George Mason University, is 14.5 miles away in Fairfax.
What colleges are near Arcola?
Within 15 miles: George Mason University (14.5 miles, 32,320 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Arcola, and what does it cost?
Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, 17.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,891 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $9,919, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does George Mason University cost if we live in Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $14,220 a year in-state and $38,688 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,942 (under $30,000 income) to $25,894 (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 Arcola. 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 →