Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWashington and Lee University is 1.7 miles from East Lexington
No college sits inside East Lexington’s boundary, but Washington and Lee University’s campus in Lexington, with 2,277 students on campus, is 1.7 miles from the center of town, and Mountain Gateway Community College is 23.8 miles away in Clifton Forge. About 3% of East Lexington’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 East Lexington. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from East Lexington
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of East Lexington
Two private colleges within 5.6 miles, and one public college within 1.4 miles.
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 East Lexington’s median household income ($64,241) 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 East Lexington: 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 East Lexington
Is East Lexington a college town?
No. About 3 of every 100 East Lexington residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Virginia (7). The nearest campus, Virginia Military Institute, is 1.4 miles away in Lexington.
What colleges are near East Lexington?
Within 15 miles: Virginia Military Institute (1.4 miles, 1,560 students on campus), Washington and Lee University (1.7 miles, 2,277) and Southern Virginia University (5.6 miles, 967).
What is the closest community college to East Lexington, and what does it cost?
Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge, 23.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,022 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $4,861, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Virginia Military Institute cost if we live in Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $21,046 a year in-state and $52,638 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $12,697 (under $30,000 income) to $23,434 (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 East Lexington. 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 →