The closest is Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, 8.8 miles from the center of town. Here’s what each costs, who gets in, and how students do.
Nearest college
8.8 mi
Waubonsee Community College
Within 30 miles
17
degree-granting colleges
Nearest community college
8.8 mi
Waubonsee Community College
Students nearby
81,347
on campus within 30 miles
Residents in college
5%
IL 6%
College from Plano
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 Plano’s median household income ($86K) 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 Plano: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Waubonsee Community College39% graduate$45k earnings$7k typical debt
North Central College64% graduate$60k earnings$25k 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.
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 Plano. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
