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Tankers practice rapid launch 140822-F-YQ276-135Photo: Senior Airman Mary O'Dell · Public domain
Colleges in and near Fairchild AFB

Eastern Washington University is 9.3 miles from Fairchild AFB

No college sits inside Fairchild AFB’s boundary, but Eastern Washington University’s campus in Cheney, with 7,655 students on campus, is 9.3 miles from the center of town, and Spokane Falls Community College is 9.5 miles away in Spokane. About 10% of Fairchild AFB’s residents are enrolled in college, above Washington (6%).

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 Fairchild AFB. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
6
23,585 students on campus
Nearest college
9.3 mi
Eastern Washington University
Residents in college
10%
Above WA (6%)
Nearest community college
9.5 mi
Spokane Falls · $5,461 tuition
Nearest public university
9.3 mi
Eastern Washington University · $8,586 in-state
Median household income
$70K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Fairchild AFB

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

A university 9.3 miles awayEastern Washington University has 7,655 students on campus in Cheney, 43% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Eastern Washington UniversityLiving in Washington, Eastern Washington University charges $8,586 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $25,959. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 9.5 miles awaySpokane Falls Community College in Spokane: tuition and fees $5,461 a year for Washington residents.Students are 10% of residentsAbove Washington (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Fairchild AFB

Three private colleges within 14.3 miles, one public college within 9.3 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miEastern Washington UniversityGonzaga UniversitySpokaneFairchild AFB
University or collegeCommunity college
Eastern Washington UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 7,655 on campus · 9.3 mi · Cheney91%admitted$14knet price43%graduate$58kearningsSpokane Falls Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,417 on campus · 9.5 mi · Spokane$7knet price32%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $5,461 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Gonzaga UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 6,715 on campus · 12 mi · Spokane82%admitted$35knet price86%graduate$79kearningsSpokane Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,435 on campus · 14 mi · Spokane$5knet price33%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $5,461 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Whitworth UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,263 on campus · 14.2 mi · Spokane90%admitted$27knet price71%graduate$59kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Whitworth University-Adult Degree ProgramsUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 100 on campus · 14.3 mi · Spokane29%admitted$59kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.

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 Fairchild AFB’s median household income ($69,917) falls.

Spokane Community College14 mi · Spokane · sticker $13,839 · tuition $5,461$5,928a year
Spokane Falls Community College9.5 mi · Spokane · sticker $15,685 · tuition $5,461$8,274a year
Eastern Washington University9.3 mi · Cheney · sticker $24,478$12,292a year
Whitworth University14.2 mi · Spokane · sticker $68,516$20,358a year
Gonzaga University12 mi · Spokane · sticker $73,178$25,106a 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 Fairchild AFB: 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 →Eastern Washington UniversitySpokane FallsGonzaga UniversitySpokaneWhitworth University
Eastern Washington University43% graduate$58k earnings$20k typical debt
Gonzaga University86% graduate$79k earnings$24k typical debt
Spokane Community College33% graduate$42k earnings$14k typical debt
Spokane Falls Community College32% graduate$39k earnings$12k typical debt
Whitworth University71% graduate$59k earnings*$25k 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: Whitworth University (2).

Questions about college near Fairchild AFB

Is Fairchild AFB a college town?

No. About 10 of every 100 Fairchild AFB residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Washington (6). The nearest campus, Eastern Washington University, is 9.3 miles away in Cheney.

What colleges are near Fairchild AFB?

Within 15 miles: Eastern Washington University (9.3 miles, 7,655 students on campus), Spokane Falls Community College (9.5 miles, 2,417), Gonzaga University (12 miles, 6,715), Spokane Community College (14 miles, 4,435), Whitworth University (14.2 miles, 2,263) and Whitworth University-Adult Degree Programs (14.3 miles, 100).

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

Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, 9.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,461 a year for Washington residents; the federal net price, $7,409, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Eastern Washington University cost if we live in Washington?

Tuition and fees are $8,586 a year in-state and $25,959 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,547 (under $30,000 income) to $22,279 (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 Fairchild AFB. 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 →