Colleges Near Bristol, Tennessee
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Bristol? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 40 miles of Bristol, Tennessee.
There are at least 19 colleges serving the area, including 11 private colleges and universities, 4 public colleges and universities, and 4 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Bristol, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Bristol, Tennessee Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Bristol, Tennessee have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 11,790 doctorates at colleges and universities near Bristol. That was a decrease of 15% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Bristol, Tennessee
There are at least 11 schools offering degrees near Bristol, Tennessee, and 11 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 12,475 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 5,275 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,611 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Bristol, Tennessee area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lees-McRae College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Lees-McRae College. In 2024, 204 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 10 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
817
Completions By Degree
214
Est. Online Degree Availability
45%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine. In 2024, 20 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
20
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine. In 2024, 20 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
20
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Milligan University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Milligan University. In 2024, 176 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 145 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
783
Completions By Degree
329
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
King University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at King University. In 2024, 335 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 110 master's degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
975
Completions By Degree
452
Est. Online Degree Availability
76%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
King University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at King University. In 2024, 335 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 110 master's degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
975
Completions By Degree
452
Est. Online Degree Availability
76%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Milligan University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Milligan University. In 2024, 176 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 145 master's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
783
Completions By Degree
329
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Emory & Henry University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Emory & Henry University. In 2024, 200 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 56 master's degrees, and 64 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,107
Completions By Degree
320
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Emory & Henry University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Emory & Henry University. In 2024, 200 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 56 master's degrees, and 64 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,107
Completions By Degree
320
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lees-McRae College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Lees-McRae College. In 2024, 204 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 10 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
817
Completions By Degree
214
Est. Online Degree Availability
45%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Bristol, Tennessee
There are 4 four-year public colleges located near Bristol, Tennessee. About 22,042 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 6,912 degrees were completed at public colleges near Bristol. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
East Tennessee State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at East Tennessee State University. In 2024, 2,241 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 729 master's degrees, and 252 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
9,807
Completions By Degree
3,222
Est. Online Degree Availability
44%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
East Tennessee State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at East Tennessee State University. In 2024, 2,241 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 729 master's degrees, and 252 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
9,807
Completions By Degree
3,222
Est. Online Degree Availability
44%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Virginia's College at Wise is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Virginia's College at Wise. In 2024, 234 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,214
Completions By Degree
234
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Virginia's College at Wise is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Virginia's College at Wise. In 2024, 234 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,214
Completions By Degree
234
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Community Colleges Near Bristol, Tennessee
There are 4 community colleges near Bristol, Tennessee where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 11,098 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Bristol, and about 2,208 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Virginia Highlands Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,335
Completions By Degree
286
Est. Online Degree Availability
43%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Virginia Highlands Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,335
Completions By Degree
286
Est. Online Degree Availability
43%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northeast State Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,214
Completions By Degree
818
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northeast State Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,214
Completions By Degree
818
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Affordable Colleges Near Bristol, Tennessee
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Bristol, Tennessee? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Bristol-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $32,435. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Bristol is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Bristol, Tennessee
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Bristol, Tennessee is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Bristol, Tennessee here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- King University
- Emory & Henry University
- Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
- Lees-McRae College
- Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
- Milligan University
- Emory & Henry University
- King University
- Lees-McRae College
- Milligan University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Northeast State Community College
- Northeast State Community College
Bristol, Tennessee Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Bristol? What's the Bristol, Tennessee job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 297,089 jobs in the Bristol, Tennessee area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Bristol was below the national average, at 1%. There were 38,246 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Bristol do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $20.05.