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 Yelm’s median household income ($91K) 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 Yelm: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Saint Martin's University52% graduate$62k earnings$23k typical debt
South Puget Sound Community College44% graduate$45k earnings$11k typical debt
Pierce College District31% graduate$48k earnings$12k 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 Yelm. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
