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Colonial Heights VAPhoto: Mojo Hand · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Colonial Heights

Virginia State University is 2.2 miles from Colonial Heights

No college sits inside Colonial Heights’ boundary, but Virginia State University’s campus in Petersburg, with 5,107 students on campus, is 2.2 miles from the center of town, and Brightpoint Community College is 5.9 miles away in Chester. About 5% of Colonial Heights’ residents are enrolled in college, below Virginia (7%).

Virginia State University

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 Colonial Heights. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
13,938 students on campus
Nearest college
2.2 mi
Virginia State
Residents in college
5%
Below VA (7%)
Nearest community college
5.9 mi
Brightpoint · $5,082 tuition
Nearest public university
2.2 mi
Virginia State · $10,043 in-state
Median household income
$77K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Colonial Heights

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university 2.2 miles awayVirginia State University has 5,107 students on campus in Petersburg, 39% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Virginia StateLiving in Virginia, Virginia State University charges $10,043 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,650. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 5.9 miles awayBrightpoint Community College in Chester: tuition and fees $5,082 a year for Virginia residents.Students are 5% of residentsBelow Virginia (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Colonial Heights

One private college within 6.2 miles, one public college within 2.2 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miBrightpointVirginia StateRichard Bland CollegeColonial Heights
University or collegeCommunity college
Virginia State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 5,107 on campus · 2.2 mi · Petersburg89%admitted$16knet price39%graduate$46kearningsBrightpoint Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,289 on campus · 5.9 mi · Chester$5knet price38%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $5,082 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Chester Career CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 147 on campus · 6.2 mi · CHESTER$24knet price63%graduate$33kearningsRichard Bland CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,395 on campus · 7.2 mi · South Prince George89%admitted$13knet price9%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $9,090 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Colonial Heights’ median household income ($76,505) falls.

Brightpoint Community College5.9 mi · Chester · sticker $12,196 · tuition $5,082$8,764a year
Richard Bland College7.2 mi · South Prince George · sticker $24,206 · tuition $9,090$16,905a year
Virginia State University2.2 mi · Petersburg · sticker $27,661$22,223a year
Chester Career College6.2 mi · CHESTER · sticker $29,745—a year

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.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Colonial Heights: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Virginia StateBrightpointChester Career CollegeRichard Bland College
Brightpoint Community College38% graduate$41k earnings$10k typical debt
Virginia State University39% graduate$46k earnings$26k typical debt
Richard Bland College9% graduate$41k earnings$11k typical debt
Chester Career College63% graduate$33k earnings$20k typical debt

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 Colonial Heights

Is Colonial Heights a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Colonial Heights residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Virginia (7). The nearest campus, Virginia State University, is 2.2 miles away in Petersburg.

What colleges are near Colonial Heights?

Within 15 miles: Virginia State University (2.2 miles, 5,107 students on campus), Brightpoint Community College (5.9 miles, 6,289), Chester Career College (6.2 miles, 147) and Richard Bland College (7.2 miles, 2,395).

What is the closest community college to Colonial Heights, and what does it cost?

Brightpoint Community College in Chester, 5.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,082 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $5,490, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Virginia State University cost if we live in Virginia?

Tuition and fees are $10,043 a year in-state and $22,650 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,220 (under $30,000 income) to $25,508 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Colonial Heights. 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 →