This study shows that expanding access to four-year colleges not only increases educational attainment but also extends life expectancy. When a new college opens nearby, more people attend college, on average adding nearly a tenth of a year of schooling, and those affected live about 0.16 months longer. For individuals who attend college because of these expansions, the life expectancy boost could be as large as 15 months. Between 1940 and 1990, these college openings contributed to a measurable increase in U.S. longevity, accounting for roughly 7.5% of the rise in average age at death from 1970 to 2018. This research highlights education’s powerful role as a driver of long-term health and lifespan.