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Pigeon Forge, TN 2016.03.27 (24)Photo: NealVickers · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Pigeon Forge

Johnson University is 14.2 miles from Pigeon Forge

No college sits inside Pigeon Forge’s boundary, but Johnson University’s campus in Knoxville, with 681 students on campus, is 14.2 miles from the center of town, and Walters State Community College is 33.3 miles away in Morristown. About 3% of Pigeon Forge’s residents are enrolled in college, below 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 Pigeon Forge. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
681 students on campus
Nearest college
14.2 mi
Johnson University
Residents in college
3%
Below TN (5%)
Nearest community college
33.3 mi
Walters State · $4,752 tuition
Nearest public university
22.9 mi
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · $13,812 in-state
Median household income
$53K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Pigeon Forge

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

A university 14.2 miles awayJohnson University has 681 students on campus in Knoxville, 57% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleLiving in Tennessee, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville charges $13,812 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $33,256. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 33.3 miles awayWalters State Community College in Morristown: tuition and fees $4,752 a year for Tennessee residents.Students are 3% of residentsBelow Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Pigeon Forge

One private college within 14.2 miles. The nearest public four-year college, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, is 22.9 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miJohnson UniversityPigeon Forge
University or collegeCommunity college
Johnson UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 681 on campus · 14.2 mi · Knoxville65%admitted$22knet price57%graduate$41kearnings

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 Pigeon Forge’s median household income ($53,261) falls.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville22.9 mi · Knoxville · sticker $33,678$18,206a year
Johnson University14.2 mi · Knoxville · sticker $34,244$23,206a 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 →Johnson UniversityThe University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville74% graduate$60k earnings$20k typical debt
Johnson University57% graduate$41k earnings$22k 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.

Questions about college near Pigeon Forge

Is Pigeon Forge a college town?

No. About 3 of every 100 Pigeon Forge residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Tennessee (5). The nearest campus, Johnson University, is 14.2 miles away in Knoxville.

What colleges are near Pigeon Forge?

Within 15 miles: Johnson University (14.2 miles, 681 students on campus).

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

Walters State Community College in Morristown, 33.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,752 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $5,387, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $13,812 a year in-state and $33,256 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,029 (under $30,000 income) to $25,688 (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 Pigeon Forge. 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 →