Photo: Jack Corn · Public domainWest Virginia University Institute of Technology is 7.1 miles from Coal City
No college sits inside Coal City’s boundary, but West Virginia University Institute of Technology’s campus in Beckley, with 969 students on campus, is 7.1 miles from the center of town, and New River Community and Technical College is 7.6 miles away in Beaver. About 0% of Coal City’s residents are enrolled in college, below West Virginia (5%).
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 Coal City. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Coal City
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Coal City
Two private colleges within 12.2 miles, one public college within 7.1 miles, and New River Community and Technical College 7.6 miles away.
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 Under $30k, where Coal City’s median household income ($20,491) 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 Coal City: 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: West Virginia University Institute of Technology (3).
Questions about college near Coal City
Is Coal City a college town?
No. About 0 of every 100 Coal City residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below West Virginia (5). The nearest campus, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, is 7.1 miles away in Beckley.
What colleges are near Coal City?
Within 15 miles: West Virginia University Institute of Technology (7.1 miles, 969 students on campus), New River Community and Technical College (7.6 miles, 706), Valley College-Beckley (7.9 miles, 181) and Appalachian Bible College (12.2 miles, 204).
What is the closest community college to Coal City, and what does it cost?
New River Community and Technical College in Beaver, 7.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,156 a year for West Virginia residents; the federal net price, $3,599, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does West Virginia University Institute of Technology cost if we live in West Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $8,424 a year in-state and $21,072 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,998 (under $30,000 income) to $14,797 (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 Coal City. 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 →