Colleges Near Bristol, Virginia
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, Virginia.
There are at least 10 colleges serving the area, including 5 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 3 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, Virginia Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Bristol, Virginia have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 6,284 doctorates at colleges and universities near Bristol. That was a decrease of 5% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
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
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Bristol, Virginia
There are at least 5 schools offering degrees near Bristol, Virginia, and 5 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 7,988 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 3,419 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,668 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, Virginia 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 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
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 a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at King University. In 2023, 374 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 176 master's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,065
Completions By Degree
556
Est. Online Degree Availability
81%
Completions by Program Area
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 no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Emory & Henry University. In 2023, 235 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 master's degrees, and 32 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,080
Completions By Degree
311
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 13 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
13
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 222 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 134 master's degrees, and 12 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
726
Completions By Degree
368
Est. Online Degree Availability
12%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Bristol, Virginia
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near Bristol, Virginia. About 10,765 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 3,633 degrees were completed at public colleges near Bristol. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
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 2023, 225 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
993
Completions By Degree
225
Est. Online Degree Availability
23%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 2,477 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 642 master's degrees, and 289 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
9,772
Completions By Degree
3,408
Est. Online Degree Availability
49%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Bristol, Virginia
There are 3 community colleges near Bristol, Virginia where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 6,982 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Bristol, and about 1,403 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
1,350
Completions By Degree
294
Est. Online Degree Availability
47%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southwest Virginia 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 some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,528
Completions By Degree
287
Est. Online Degree Availability
64%
Completions by Program Area
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
4,104
Completions By Degree
822
Est. Online Degree Availability
67%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Bristol, Virginia
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Bristol, Virginia? 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 $29,752. 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, Virginia
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, Virginia is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Bristol, Virginia 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
- Milligan University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Northeast State Community College
Bristol, Virginia Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Bristol? What's the Bristol, Virginia job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 304,109 jobs in the Bristol, Virginia area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Bristol was below the national average, at 1%. There were 39,159 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Bristol do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $19.22.