Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Virginia Commonwealth University is 8.1 miles from Sandston
No college sits inside Sandston’s boundary, but Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus in Richmond, with 25,603 students on campus, is 8.1 miles from the center of town, and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is 12.3 miles away in Richmond. About 5% of Sandston’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 Sandston. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Sandston
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Sandston
Seven private colleges within 13.1 miles, one public college within 8.1 miles, and two community colleges.
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 Sandston’s median household income ($59,238) 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 Sandston: 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Fortis College-Richmond (3).
Questions about college near Sandston
Is Sandston a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Sandston residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Virginia (7). The nearest campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, is 8.1 miles away in Richmond.
What colleges are near Sandston?
10 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Virginia Commonwealth University (8.1 miles, 25,603 students on campus), Brightpoint Community College (12.6 miles, 6,289) and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College (12.3 miles, 5,512).
What is the closest community college to Sandston, and what does it cost?
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, 12.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,280 a year for Virginia residents; the federal net price, $5,168, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does Virginia Commonwealth University cost if we live in Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $16,945 a year in-state and $40,109 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $17,512 (under $30,000 income) to $32,739 (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 Sandston. 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 →