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Colleges in and near Difficult Run

George Mason University is 5.5 miles from Difficult Run

No college sits inside Difficult Run’s boundary, but George Mason University’s campus in Fairfax, with 32,320 students on campus, is 5.5 miles from the center of town, and Northern Virginia Community College is 7.8 miles away in Annandale. About 5% of Difficult Run’s residents are enrolled in college, below 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 Difficult Run. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
12
115,675 students on campus
Nearest college
5.5 mi
George Mason University
Residents in college
5%
Below VA (7%)
Nearest community college
7.8 mi
Northern Virginia · $5,891 tuition
Nearest public university
5.5 mi
George Mason University · $14,220 in-state
Median household income
$250K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Difficult Run

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

A university 5.5 miles awayGeorge Mason University has 32,320 students on campus in Fairfax, 68% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at George Mason UniversityLiving in Virginia, George Mason University charges $14,220 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $38,688. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 7.8 miles awayNorthern Virginia Community College in Annandale: tuition and fees $5,891 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 Difficult Run

10 private colleges within 14.7 miles, one public college within 5.5 miles, and Northern Virginia Community College 7.8 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorthern VirginiaGeorge Mason UniversityGeorgetown UniversityDifficult Run
University or collegeCommunity college
George Mason UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 32,320 on campus · 5.5 mi · Fairfax87%admitted$18knet price68%graduate$76kearningsColumbia CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 231 on campus · 5.5 mi · Vienna$10knet price80%graduate$22kearningsVirginia University of Integrative MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 251 on campus · 6.6 mi · ViennaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Chamberlain University-VirginiaUniversity or college · For-profit · 540 on campus · 6.8 mi · Vienna90%admitted$33knet price100%graduate$92kearningsEarnings are reported for all 15 campuses that file with it.University of the Potomac-VA CampusUniversity or college · For-profit · 547 on campus · 7.1 mi · FALLS CHURCH50%graduate$35kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Standard Healthcare Services-College of NursingUniversity or college · For-profit · 719 on campus · 7.5 mi · Falls Church28%admitted$36knet price66%graduateArizona College of Nursing-Falls ChurchUniversity or college · For-profit · 284 on campus · 7.6 mi · Falls Church100%admitted$39knet price$35kearningsEarnings are reported for all 20 campuses that file with it.Northern Virginia Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 48,232 on campus · 7.8 mi · Annandale$10knet price33%graduate$54kearningsTuition and fees: $5,891 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Marymount UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,811 on campus · 11.8 mi · Arlington93%admitted$29knet price54%graduate$68kearningsWesley Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 378 on campus · 14 mi · Washington, DCGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.American UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 11,897 on campus · 14.1 mi · Washington, DC62%admitted$42knet price75%graduate$77kearningsGeorgetown UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 17,465 on campus · 14.7 mi · Washington, DC13%admitted$41knet price95%graduate$103kearnings

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 Over $110k, where Difficult Run’s median household income ($250,001) falls.

Northern Virginia Community College7.8 mi · Annandale · sticker $17,153 · tuition $5,891$16,630a year
George Mason University5.5 mi · Fairfax · sticker $28,604$25,894a year
Marymount University11.8 mi · Arlington · sticker $57,184$30,618a year
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing7.5 mi · Falls Church · sticker $41,939$41,243a year
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church7.6 mi · Falls Church · sticker $42,280$42,280a year
American University14.1 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $76,058$53,673a year
Georgetown University14.7 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $88,741$57,403a year
Columbia College5.5 mi · Vienna · sticker $13,440—a year
Chamberlain University-Virginia6.8 mi · Vienna · sticker $45,594—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 Difficult Run: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →George Mason UniversityUniversity of the Potomac-VA CampusNorthern VirginiaMarymount UniversityAmerican UniversityGeorgetown University
Northern Virginia Community College33% graduate$54k earnings$11k typical debt
George Mason University68% graduate$76k earnings$20k typical debt
Georgetown University95% graduate$103k earnings$16k typical debt
American University75% graduate$77k earnings$23k typical debt
Marymount University54% graduate$68k earnings$25k typical debt
University of the Potomac-VA Campus50% graduate$35k earnings*$9k typical debt
Chamberlain University-Virginia100% graduate$92k earnings*$21k typical debt
Columbia College80% graduate$22k earnings$8k 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Chamberlain University-Virginia (15); University of the Potomac-VA Campus (2).

Questions about college near Difficult Run

Is Difficult Run a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Difficult Run residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Virginia (7). The nearest campus, George Mason University, is 5.5 miles away in Fairfax.

What colleges are near Difficult Run?

12 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Northern Virginia Community College (7.8 miles, 48,232 students on campus), George Mason University (5.5 miles, 32,320) and Georgetown University (14.7 miles, 17,465).

What is the closest community college to Difficult Run, and what does it cost?

Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, 7.8 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.

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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 Difficult Run. 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 →