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Johnson CityPhoto: Mrgriffter · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Johnson City

Johnson City is home to East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University (10,770 students on campus) is inside the city. About 14% of Johnson City’s residents are enrolled in college, above Tennessee (5%).

East Tennessee State 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 Johnson City. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
16,574 students on campus
Nearest college
2.9 mi
East Tennessee State
Residents in college
14%
Above TN (5%)
Nearest community college
10 mi
Northeast State · $4,782 tuition
Nearest public university
2.9 mi
East Tennessee State · $10,472 in-state
Median household income
$57K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Johnson City

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

A university in Johnson CityEast Tennessee State University has 10,770 students on campus in Johnson City, 53% 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 10 miles awayNortheast State Community College in Blountville: tuition and fees $4,782 a year for Tennessee residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Johnson City

One private college within 5.6 miles, one public college within 2.9 miles, and Northeast State Community College 10 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miEast Tennessee StateNortheast StateMilligan UniversityJohnson City
University or collegeCommunity college
East Tennessee State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 10,770 on campus · In Johnson City86%admitted$16knet price53%graduate$45kearningsMilligan UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,148 on campus · 5.6 mi · Milligan72%admitted$21knet price63%graduate$47kearningsNortheast State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,656 on campus · 10 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 $48–75k, where Johnson City’s median household income ($57,254) falls.

Northeast State Community College10 mi · Blountville · sticker $15,793 · tuition $4,782$7,563a year
Milligan University5.6 mi · Milligan · sticker $52,511$16,351a year
East Tennessee State UniversityIn Johnson City · sticker $27,042$16,400a 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 Johnson City: 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 →East Tennessee StateMilligan UniversityNortheast 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 Johnson City

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

Health professions 27%Business 16%Psychology 7%Parks & recreation 5%Computer science 4%Visual & performing arts 4%Everything else 37%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing588 graduates a year
$74k4 yrs out
Psychology, General140 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations126 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness108 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities100 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Biology, General91 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other80 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Marketing80 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 Johnson City

Is Johnson City a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Johnson City residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, East Tennessee State University, has 10,770 students on campus.

What colleges are in Johnson City?

East Tennessee State University is inside the city. Northeast State Community College is 10 miles away in Blountville.

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

Northeast State Community College in Blountville, 10 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 Johnson City. 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 →