Best Online Engineering Programs in Bristol, TN (2026)
Bristol, Tennessee has a population of about 27,490. The city’s median household income is $55,007 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Bristol. In the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $136,130 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Bristol
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Bristol city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville, TN | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton | Elizabethton, TN | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap, VA | 36.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | 38.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Bristol
Bristol is part of the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (BLS area code 28700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $87,630 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $101,424 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,980 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $124,977 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,820 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $114,375 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,150 | TN statewide | $127,488 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,050 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $145,891 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,020 | TN statewide | $119,236 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,450 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $109,317 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $136,130 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $157,558 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Bristol at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,490 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,007 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Sullivan County | 545 workers, 60 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bristol-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Johnson City, TN – 17.6 mi away (127,134 pop)
- Kingsport, TN – 18.5 mi away (116,745 pop)
- Boone, NC – 38.7 mi away (25,039 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.1 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Morristown, TN – 65.1 mi away (60,098 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Bristol, TN?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Bristol. The closest is Northeast State Community College in Blountville, TN (7.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Appalachian State University (38.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Bristol?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Bristol are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($136,130), Aerospace Engineer ($126,050), Chemical Engineer ($110,150). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnson City instead of Bristol?
Johnson City, TN is 17.6 miles from Bristol and has its own set of local engineering programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Bristol an affordable place to study engineering?
Bristol’s median household income of $55,007 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bristol while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
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