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State Street - Bristol, TN-VAPhoto: AppalachianCentrist · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Bristol

Bristol is home to King University

King University (778 students on campus) is inside the city. About 5% of Bristol’s 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 Bristol. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
5,434 students on campus
Nearest college
3.7 mi
King University
Residents in college
5%
About the same as TN (5%)
Nearest community college
11.8 mi
Northeast State · $4,782 tuition
Nearest public university
19.6 mi
East Tennessee State · $10,472 in-state
Median household income
$58K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Bristol

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in BristolKing University has 778 students on campus in Bristol, 48% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 11.8 miles awayNortheast State Community College in Blountville: tuition and fees $4,782 a year for Tennessee residents.In-state price at East Tennessee StateLiving in Tennessee, East Tennessee State University charges $10,472 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,522. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Bristol

One private college within 3.7 miles, and Northeast State Community College 11.8 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, East Tennessee State University, is 19.6 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miNortheast StateKing UniversityBristol
University or collegeCommunity college
King UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 778 on campus · In Bristol100%admitted$22knet price48%graduate$60kearningsNortheast State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,656 on campus · 11.8 mi · Blountville$7knet price33%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $4,782 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Bristol’s median household income ($58,162) falls.

Northeast State Community College11.8 mi · Blountville · sticker $15,793 · tuition $4,782$7,563a year
East Tennessee State University19.6 mi · Johnson City · sticker $27,042$16,400a year
King UniversityIn Bristol · sticker $49,004$18,035a year

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.

Outcomes

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.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →King UniversityNortheast StateEast Tennessee State
East Tennessee State University53% graduate$45k earnings$19k typical debt
Northeast State Community College33% graduate$35k earnings$7k typical debt
King University48% graduate$60k earnings$23k typical debt

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.

Majors

What students study in Bristol

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at King University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 25%Health professions 18%Public administration 11%Education 8%Parks & recreation 7%Psychology 7%Everything else 24%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing67 graduates a year
$83k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations61 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Psychology, General26 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections20 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General18 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services17 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Communication and Media Studies10 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Bristol

Is Bristol a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Bristol residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, King University, has 778 students on campus.

What colleges are in Bristol?

King University is inside the city. Northeast State Community College is 11.8 miles away in Blountville.

What is the closest community college to Bristol, and what does it cost?

Northeast State Community College in Blountville, 11.8 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,782 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $6,864, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does East Tennessee State University cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $10,472 a year in-state and $14,522 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $12,433 (under $30,000 income) to $21,193 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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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 Bristol. 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 →