Photo: Princetonnative · CC BY 4.0Concord University is 6.2 miles from Princeton
No college sits inside Princeton’s boundary, but Concord University’s campus in Athens, with 1,244 students on campus, is 6.2 miles from the center of town, and New River Community and Technical College is 27.6 miles away in Beaver. About 3% of Princeton’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 Princeton. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Princeton
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Princeton
One private college within 11.9 miles, and two public colleges within 10.6 miles.
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 $30–48k, where Princeton’s median household income ($43,900) 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 Princeton: 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.
Questions about college near Princeton
Is Princeton a college town?
No. About 3 of every 100 Princeton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below West Virginia (5). The nearest campus, Concord University, is 6.2 miles away in Athens.
What colleges are near Princeton?
Within 15 miles: Concord University (6.2 miles, 1,244 students on campus), Bluefield State University (10.6 miles, 920) and Bluefield University (11.9 miles, 601).
What is the closest community college to Princeton, and what does it cost?
New River Community and Technical College in Beaver, 27.6 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 Concord University cost if we live in West Virginia?
Tuition and fees are $10,664 a year in-state and $22,000 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,021 (under $30,000 income) to $15,472 (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 Princeton. 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 →