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King University

Bristol, TN·Private nonprofit·975 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. freshman retention is below 65%. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

54%
Accept
975
Students
$23,508
Net Price
46%
Grad Rate
$50,300
Earnings
10 yr
$18,000
Debt

About This School

King University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bristol, Tennessee with approximately 975 undergraduate students enrolled. King University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 54%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,508 per year. The graduation rate is 46%, and the typical graduate earns $50,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

King University is a Presbyterian-affiliated private university in Bristol, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1867, King is independently governed with covenant affiliations to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 46% graduation rate and 60% freshman retention rate suggest that a significant number of students either transfer out or don't finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a relatively manageable $18,000, and median earnings of $50,300 after 10 years show graduates do find their footing financially. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, faith-rooted community in Appalachia and have a clear plan to stay on track — but ask hard questions about academic support and why so many students leave.

Founded
1867
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing25%
Health Professions23%
Psychology7%
Computer Science5%
Biological Sciences3%
Education3%
Communications3%
Mathematics2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Patricia CornwellKatherine PatersonSarah Hildebrandt

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$34,800
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,800
Avg Net Price
$23,508
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants42%
Median debt at graduation$18,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
46%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
60%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$44,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White74%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (975 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

King University

1350 King College Road

Bristol, TN 37620-2699

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Tennessee

Browse all Tennessee schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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