About King University
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Established in 1867, King University (originally King College) has a long and distinguished history of academic excellence, accessibility, and service to the church and the local community. A Christian academic community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, our emphasis on intellectual, social, and spiritual growth has produced numerous successful alumni operating in many fields.
King is a comprehensive university offering more than 90 majors, minors, pre-professional degrees, and concentrations through five academic schools of learning:
- College of Arts and Sciences (including the Peeke School of Christian Mission)
- School of Business, Economics, and Technology
- School of Education
- School of Nursing
- School of Health and Professional Sciences
King also hosts a robust Athletics Department with 28 teams competing in the NCAA Division II and Conference Carolinas as well as on-campus leagues and groups sponsored by Student Affairs. The Tornado has produced numerous academic all-Americans, five professional athletes, three Olympians, and multiple championship teams.
Undergraduate students can participate in real-world economic and scientific research and engage with prominent individuals who explore the connection between faith and culture. The university offers on-campus and online learning programs and a dual degree program in Engineering. Additionally, graduate and professional programs include master’s degrees in nursing, business, and education, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing practice.
In 2023, King was one of only nine schools in Tennessee to be ranked a Best College of America by Money Magazine. The nearest institutions to be similarly ranked were the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Virginia Tech, making King the standout in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Also in 2023, The New York Times Magazine ranked King 21st in the nation among institutions supporting mid- to low-income students and their families. King was the only institution listed in the region.
King is also consistently acknowledged for its support of military members and their families, rated as a Gold-status school in 2023 by Military Friendly®. The program ranks civilian organizations based on their commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community, emphasizing student support and retention and graduation and career outcomes.
King’s School of Nursing (SON) is consistently ranked as one of the top programs in the region. For seven consecutive years, it has achieved NCLEX pass rates of over 90%, and our graduates are in high demand from healthcare organizations throughout the U.S.
King’s School of Arts & Sciences has received Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grants twice, including one currently in process that is helping to break down barriers for underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
Our Region
King’s campus occupies 135 acres of rolling, wooded terrain two miles east of the twin cities of Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia. The campus Oval, Georgian-style architecture, and scenic hilltop views create a peaceful learning environment that is minutes away from numerous recreational, shopping, and dining opportunities.
Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, Tennessee, make up the Tri-Cities Metropolitan area, which has a population of approximately half a million residents.
King’s location offers ample access to outdoor activities, including boating on South Holston Lake, world-class fly fishing on the South Holston River, and hiking on the nearby Appalachian Trail. Numerous other areas for camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding, including those in the Cherokee National Forest and the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, are all within an afternoon’s drive. Bristol is also home to Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Our proximity to Interstate 81 offers access to approximately one-third of the U.S. in the span of a day’s drive. Numerous flights are also available through Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI), located 30 minutes from campus.
The region boasts a lower-than-national average cost of living and a diverse economy with career opportunities in healthcare, education, marketing, manufacturing, and technology, among many others.
The King Board of Trustees has controlling ownership and interest in the school.
