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Old Town Hall (Fairfax, Virginia) (53890424273)Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Fairfax

Northern Virginia Community College is 3.6 miles from Fairfax

No college sits inside Fairfax’s boundary, but Northern Virginia Community College’s campus in Annandale, with 48,232 students on campus, is 3.6 miles from the center of town. About 9% of Fairfax’s residents are enrolled in college, above Virginia (7%).

George Mason UniversityNorthern Virginia Community College

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 Fairfax. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
18
142,888 students on campus
Nearest college
1.5 mi
George Mason University
Residents in college
9%
Above VA (7%)
Nearest community college
3.6 mi
Northern Virginia · $5,891 tuition
Nearest public university
1.5 mi
George Mason University · $14,220 in-state
Median household income
$132K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Fairfax

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

Two colleges within 3.6 milesGeorge Mason University admits 87% of applicants. Together they have 80,552 students on campus.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 3.6 miles awayNorthern Virginia Community College in Annandale: tuition and fees $5,891 a year for Virginia residents.Students are 9% of residentsAbove Virginia (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Fairfax

15 private colleges within 14.8 miles, two public colleges within 14 miles, and Northern Virginia Community College 3.6 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miNorthern VirginiaGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityFairfax
University or collegeCommunity college
George Mason UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 32,320 on campus · 1.5 mi · Fairfax87%admitted$18knet price68%graduate$76kearningsNorthern Virginia Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 48,232 on campus · 3.6 mi · Annandale$10knet price33%graduate$54kearningsTuition and fees: $5,891 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Arizona College of Nursing-Falls ChurchUniversity or college · For-profit · 284 on campus · 4.4 mi · Falls Church100%admitted$39knet price$35kearningsEarnings are reported for all 20 campuses that file with it.Virginia University of Integrative MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 251 on campus · 5.6 mi · ViennaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.University of the Potomac-VA CampusUniversity or college · For-profit · 547 on campus · 5.8 mi · FALLS CHURCH50%graduate$35kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Chamberlain University-VirginiaUniversity or college · For-profit · 540 on campus · 5.8 mi · Vienna90%admitted$33knet price100%graduate$92kearningsEarnings are reported for all 15 campuses that file with it.Columbia CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 231 on campus · 5.8 mi · Vienna$10knet price80%graduate$22kearningsStandard Healthcare Services-College of NursingUniversity or college · For-profit · 719 on campus · 6.2 mi · Falls Church28%admitted$36knet price66%graduateMarymount UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,811 on campus · 9.8 mi · Arlington93%admitted$29knet price54%graduate$68kearningsWashington University of Science and TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,008 on campus · 12.2 mi · Alexandria7%admitted67%graduateGeorgetown UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 17,465 on campus · 12.7 mi · Washington, DC13%admitted$41knet price95%graduate$103kearningsAmerican UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 11,897 on campus · 12.7 mi · Washington, DC62%admitted$42knet price75%graduate$77kearningsWesley Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 378 on campus · 12.7 mi · Washington, DCGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.George Washington UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 21,060 on campus · 13.9 mi · Washington, DC47%admitted$37knet price84%graduate$91kearningsUniversity of the District of ColumbiaUniversity or college · Public · 3,833 on campus · 14 mi · Washington, DC$11knet price33%graduate$44kearningsThe Chicago School at Washington DCUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 569 on campus · 14.7 mi · Washington, DC$57kearningsEarnings are reported for all 8 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.University of the Potomac-Washington DC CampusUniversity or college · For-profit · 501 on campus · 14.7 mi · Washington, DC33%graduate$35kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Career Technical InstituteUniversity or college · For-profit · 242 on campus · 14.8 mi · Washington, DC

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 Fairfax’s median household income ($132,348) falls.

Northern Virginia Community College3.6 mi · Annandale · sticker $17,153 · tuition $5,891$16,630a year
George Mason University1.5 mi · Fairfax · sticker $28,604$25,894a year
Marymount University9.8 mi · Arlington · sticker $57,184$30,618a year
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing6.2 mi · Falls Church · sticker $41,939$41,243a year
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church4.4 mi · Falls Church · sticker $42,280$42,280a year
American University12.7 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $76,058$53,673a year
George Washington University13.9 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $83,856$55,337a year
Georgetown University12.7 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $88,741$57,403a year
Chamberlain University-Virginia5.8 mi · Vienna · sticker $45,594—a year
Columbia College5.8 mi · Vienna · sticker $13,440—a year
University of the District of Columbia14 mi · Washington, DC · sticker $20,437—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 Fairfax: 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 UniversityNorthern VirginiaAmerican UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityUniversity of the District of Columbia
Northern Virginia Community College33% graduate$54k earnings$11k typical debt
George Mason University68% graduate$76k earnings$20k typical debt
George Washington University84% graduate$91k earnings$20k typical debt
Georgetown University95% graduate$103k earnings$16k typical debt
American University75% graduate$77k earnings$23k typical debt
University of the District of Columbia33% graduate$44k earnings$25k 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
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus33% graduate$35k earnings*$9k 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: University of the Potomac-VA Campus (2); Chamberlain University-Virginia (15); University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus (2).

Questions about college near Fairfax

Is Fairfax a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Fairfax residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Virginia (7). The nearest campus, George Mason University, is 1.5 miles away in Fairfax.

What colleges are near Fairfax?

18 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Northern Virginia Community College (3.6 miles, 48,232 students on campus), George Mason University (1.5 miles, 32,320) and George Washington University (13.9 miles, 21,060).

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

Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, 3.6 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 Fairfax. 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 →