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Colleges in and near Elizabethton

Elizabethton is home to Milligan University

Milligan University (1,148 students on campus) is inside the city. About 10% of Elizabethton’s residents are enrolled in college, above Tennessee (5%).

Milligan University

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 Elizabethton. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
16,574 students on campus
Nearest college
4.2 mi
Milligan University
Residents in college
10%
Above TN (5%)
Nearest community college
13.8 mi
Northeast State · $4,782 tuition
Nearest public university
7.7 mi
East Tennessee State · $10,472 in-state
Median household income
$47K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Elizabethton

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

A university in ElizabethtonMilligan University has 1,148 students on campus in Elizabethton, 63% of whom graduate within six years.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.A community college 13.8 miles awayNortheast State Community College in Blountville: tuition and fees $4,782 a year for Tennessee residents.Students are 10% of residentsAbove Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Elizabethton

One private college within 4.2 miles, one public college within 7.7 miles, and Northeast State Community College 13.8 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miEast Tennessee StateNortheast StateMilligan UniversityElizabethton
University or collegeCommunity college
Milligan UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,148 on campus · In Elizabethton72%admitted$21knet price63%graduate$47kearningsEast Tennessee State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 10,770 on campus · 7.7 mi · Johnson City86%admitted$16knet price53%graduate$45kearningsNortheast State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,656 on campus · 13.8 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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Elizabethton’s median household income ($46,975) falls.

Northeast State Community College13.8 mi · Blountville · sticker $15,793 · tuition $4,782$6,380a year
East Tennessee State University7.7 mi · Johnson City · sticker $27,042$14,289a year
Milligan UniversityIn Elizabethton · sticker $52,511$14,635a 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 within 15 miles of Elizabethton: 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 →Milligan UniversityEast Tennessee StateNortheast State
East Tennessee State University53% graduate$45k earnings$19k typical debt
Northeast State Community College33% graduate$35k earnings$7k typical debt
Milligan University63% graduate$47k earnings$25k 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 Elizabethton

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

Business 23%Parks & recreation 11%Health professions 10%Engineering 9%Psychology 6%Visual & performing arts 6%Everything else 35%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations42 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness24 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Psychology, General24 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods23 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing14 graduates a year
$83k4 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 Elizabethton

Is Elizabethton a college town?

No. About 10 of every 100 Elizabethton residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, Milligan University, has 1,148 students on campus.

What colleges are in Elizabethton?

Milligan University is inside the city. Northeast State Community College is 13.8 miles away in Blountville.

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

Northeast State Community College in Blountville, 13.8 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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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 Elizabethton. 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 →