The closest is Eastern Connecticut State University in Windham, 16.5 miles from the center of town. Here’s what each costs, who gets in, and how students do.
Nearest college
16.5 mi
Eastern Connecticut State University
Within 30 miles
17
degree-granting colleges
Nearest community college
21.7 mi
Community College of Rhode Island
Students nearby
94,992
on campus within 30 miles
Residents in college
6%
CT 7%
College from Plainfield
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
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 $75–110k, where Plainfield’s median household income ($77K) 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 Plainfield: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Eastern Connecticut State University58% graduate$56k earnings$24k typical debt
University of Connecticut83% graduate$74k earnings$22k typical debt
New England Institute of Technology60% graduate$49k earnings$17k 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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
