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Colleges in and near College Place

College Place is a college town: 19 of every 100 residents are students

Walla Walla University (1,392 students on campus) is inside the city, and Whitman College (1,544) is 3.5 miles from the center, just over the line in Walla Walla. Across Washington, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town19% of residents are studentsWalla Walla UniversityWhitman 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 College Place. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
5,309 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Walla Walla University
Residents in college
19%
Above WA (6%)
Nearest community college
6.1 mi
Walla Walla · $5,279 tuition
Nearest public university
6.1 mi
Walla Walla · $5,279 in-state
Students on campus in College Place
1,392
next to 9,923 residents

What stands out about college in College Place

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

A college town19 of every 100 College Place residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Washington.Two colleges within 3.5 milesWhitman College admits 38% of applicants. Together they have 2,936 students on campus.A community college 6.1 miles awayWalla Walla Community College in Walla Walla: tuition and fees $5,279 a year for Washington residents.In-state price at Walla WallaLiving in Washington, Walla Walla Community College charges $5,279 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $6,700. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in College Place

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

19 of every 100 College Place residents are in college (WA: 6).

1,392students on campus at Walla Walla University, next to 9,923 residents (dorm students count as residents)
748college students live in College Place households rather than dorms
32.3median age · WA 38.3
36%of homes rented · WA 36%
$1,186median rent · 33% below the state
Cost of living$1,186/mo median rentC−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIB−HealthCDC estimatesB+Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundCHandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change College Place’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 10.8% of College Place residents are below the poverty line, 9.3% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 5 points either way). 26% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C−

The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 19%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.

Health B+

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and College Place’s median age is 32.3 (Washington 38.3), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B−

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of College Place

Two private colleges within 3.5 miles, and Walla Walla Community College 6.1 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miWalla WallaWhitman CollegeWalla Walla UniversityCollege Place
University or collegeCommunity college
Walla Walla UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,392 on campus · In College Place$23knet price60%graduate$62kearningsWhitman CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,544 on campus · 3.5 mi · Walla Walla38%admitted$33knet price81%graduate$68kearningsWalla Walla Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,373 on campus · 6.1 mi · Walla Walla$9knet price38%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $5,279 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 $48–75k, where College Place’s median household income ($61,914) falls.

Walla Walla Community College6.1 mi · Walla Walla · sticker $19,268 · tuition $5,279$9,301a year
Walla Walla UniversityIn College Place · sticker $45,903$20,776a year
Whitman College3.5 mi · Walla Walla · sticker $78,092$21,915a 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 College Place: 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 →Walla Walla UniversityWhitman CollegeWalla Walla
Walla Walla Community College38% graduate$44k earnings$14k typical debt
Whitman College81% graduate$68k earnings$18k typical debt
Walla Walla University60% graduate$62k earnings$27k 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.

Majors

What students study in College Place

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Walla Walla University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Health professions 20%Engineering 12%Biology 7%Psychology 6%Visual & performing arts 6%Everything else 29%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing61 graduates a year
$101k4 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General27 graduates a year
$64k4 yrs out
Social Work13 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Design and Applied Arts12 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in College Place

Is College Place a college town?

Yes. 19 of every 100 College Place residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Washington. Walla Walla University has 1,392 students on campus, next to 9,923 residents.

What colleges are in College Place?

Walla Walla University is inside the city. Whitman College is 3.5 miles from the center, in Walla Walla, and Walla Walla Community College is 6.1 miles away in Walla Walla.

Why is College Place’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 10.8% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 9.3% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 5 points).

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

Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, 6.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,279 a year for Washington residents; the federal net price, $9,406, counts housing and food at full cost.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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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 College Place. 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 →