Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Union University is 13.1 miles from Bells
No college sits inside Bells’ boundary, but Union University’s campus in Jackson, with 2,124 students on campus, is 13.1 miles from the center of town, and Jackson State Community College is 17.9 miles away in Jackson. About 6% of Bells’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Tennessee (5%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Bells. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Bells
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Bells
One private college within 13.1 miles. The nearest public four-year college, The University of Tennessee-Martin, is 44.6 miles away.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Bells’ median household income ($56,027) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Bells
Is Bells a college town?
No. About 6 of every 100 Bells residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Tennessee (5). The nearest campus, Union University, is 13.1 miles away in Jackson.
What colleges are near Bells?
Within 15 miles: Union University (13.1 miles, 2,124 students on campus).
What is the closest community college to Bells, and what does it cost?
Jackson State Community College in Jackson, 17.9 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,740 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $6,236, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does The University of Tennessee-Martin cost if we live in Tennessee?
Tuition and fees are $10,560 a year in-state and $16,600 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,151 (under $30,000 income) to $15,827 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
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 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bells. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →