The closest is Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology in Berkeley, 2 miles from the center of town. Here’s what each costs, who gets in, and how students do.
Nearest college
2 mi
Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology
Within 30 miles
48
degree-granting colleges
Nearest community college
2.6 mi
Berkeley City College
Students nearby
191,503
on campus within 30 miles
Residents in college
6%
CA 8%
College from Kensington
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Institute of Buddhist StudiesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
2.8 mi16 students
Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College-BerkeleyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
3.1 mi119 students
The Wright InstituteUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
3.1 mi511 students
38 more within 30 miles.
Straight-line distance. Degree-granting colleges with students on campus. Dashed rows are too small, or report too little to the Department of Education, for a page of their own.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for families on federal aid. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at Over $110k, where Kensington’s median household income ($237K) falls.
Federal figures: your own price depends on your aid package. Every college has a net price calculator on its website. “—” = not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college near Kensington: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Berkeley City College36% graduate$41k earnings— typical debt
University of California-Berkeley93% graduate$92k earnings$13k typical debt
Contra Costa College28% graduate$41k earnings— typical debt
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, students on federal aid. A college that’s part of a larger system reports earnings for the whole system.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Is Kensington close enough to college to live at home?
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Start the conversation
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023). “On campus” counts fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Net price is the average a year after grants for families on federal aid; earnings are the median 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. Distances are straight-line from the center of Kensington. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
