DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Students weighing what comes after high school will have more than 100 colleges, universities and other postsecondary options within reach when the Chester County College Fair returns to Downingtown this month.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit will host the free fair Monday, Oct. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at United Sports, bringing students and families face-to-face with representatives from institutions across the country.
The event is designed to offer more than a traditional college search. Representatives are expected from colleges and universities, nursing schools, community and technical colleges, trade schools and branches of the military, giving attendees an opportunity to compare a range of educational and career pathways in one location.
Students can ask representatives directly about academic programs, admissions requirements, financial aid, campus life and other factors that could shape their plans after graduation.
“The Chester County College Fair opens the door to a wide range of possibilities, all in one place,” CCIU special events coordinator Jay Della Ragione said. “Some students might already have a clear plan in mind, while others are just beginning to consider what comes after high school.”
Della Ragione said the fair is intended to help students discover opportunities they might not otherwise have considered.
“We want to give students and families the chance to ask questions and discover opportunities they may not have considered before,” Della Ragione said. “Our goal is for every attendee to leave feeling more informed, confident, and excited.”
CCIU is again partnering with StriveScan to streamline the experience. Attendees can register in advance and receive a personalized barcode that participating representatives can scan, eliminating the need for students to repeatedly fill out information cards at individual tables.
Students and families can also use an online event guide before arriving to browse participating institutions and filter options by institution type, location, admissions rate, programs, majors and other criteria. The roster of participating institutions will continue to be updated ahead of the fair.
The evening will begin an hour earlier for students with special needs or disabilities and their families.
CCIU will offer “Transitioning Beyond High School: Preparing for College with Disability Supports” beginning at 5 p.m. The free specialized program will focus on postsecondary opportunities and available supports, with brief presentations from participating colleges and programs followed by an open question-and-answer session.
Space for the early-hour program is limited and advance registration is required at cciu.org/earlyhour.
Event Details
- What: 2026 Chester County College Fair
- When: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m.; the “Transitioning Beyond High School: Preparing for College with Disability Supports” program begins at 5 p.m.
- Where: United Sports, 1426 Marshallton Thorndale Road, Downingtown, PA
- Cost/Tickets: Free and open to students, families, school counselors and community members. Registration is required for the 5 p.m. disability-support program because space is limited.
- More Info: www.cciu.org/college-fair; participating institutions and fair registration are available at www.strivefair.com/chester.
With more than 100 institutions expected under one roof, the fair gives Chester County students an opportunity to explore widely, compare possibilities and start conversations that could help turn an uncertain next step into a clearer plan.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.