
Christian college
#13 Christian colleges that pay for themselves fastest in AmericaKing University
Bristol, TN · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Presbyterian and Reformed
Real cost
Average price after aid $22,347 a year
Median debt at graduation: $22,750 (all students)
Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator
King University is a Christian university in Bristol, Tennessee, whose mission includes fidelity to its Presbyterian heritage. Traditional students attend chapel on Wednesdays in Memorial Chapel and must earn 10 chapel and convocation credits each semester, and the core curriculum requires a Christian Faith and Social Responsibility course and one Bible or Christianity course.
Faith life at a glance
In the college’s own words
Source: king.edu“A brief time for devotions is held nightly in Liston Hall for both men and women.”
Source: king.edu“The FCA challenges athletes and others to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.”
Source: king.edu“Meeting weekly, fellowship groups provide small group settings for worship, study, sharing, prayer, and fun.”
Questions students ask
What's a normal week?
Chapel meets each Wednesday from 9:15 to 10:00 a.m. in Memorial Chapel, and devotions are held nightly in Liston Hall.
Source: king.eduWhere do I find community?
Fellowship groups meet weekly for worship, study, sharing, prayer and fun.
Source: king.eduCan I serve or go on mission trips?
The university plans several mission trips each year.
Source: king.eduRankings
Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our faith research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list
In America
- Christian colleges with the strongest missions and service in America#1 of 135
- Christian colleges with the best earnings for the price in America#15 of 130
- Christian colleges that pay for themselves fastest in America#13 of 73
- Christian colleges with the most faculty per student in America#32 of 132
- Best value Christian colleges in the South in America#15 of 60
- Christian colleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price in America#33 of 132
In Tennessee
Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.48%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.60%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.11 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,149
Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.
Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))
Faith scorecard
Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.
Worship and chapel
66 of 100 points · 6 of 7 found
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Chapel services during the weekOnce a week (One chapel service a week is listed (Wednesday). Monday convocation is described as an intellectual forum and is not counted as a chapel service.)
Sources (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel will be held in Memorial Chapel, 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., each Wednesday.”
“Convocation is an intellectual forum for the presentation of ideas”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Chapel attendance expected of studentsRequired, with a set number of services each term (Each undergraduate student must earn 10 chapel and convocation credits per semester (2026-27 catalog). Chapel and convocation are pass/fail half-hour credits; the count covers both kinds of gathering.)
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“student is required to earn 10 Chapel and Convocation”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Student worship nights or praise servicesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Weekly (Fellowship groups meet weekly for prayer, and residence hall devotions are held nightly in one hall.)
Sources (1)
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Meeting weekly, fellowship groups provide small group settings for worship, study, sharing, prayer, and fun.”
“A brief time for devotions is held nightly in Liston Hall for both men and women.”
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsFull-time campus pastor or chaplain (A named campus pastor, chaplain or dean of chapel serves students on the college staff.)
Sources (1)
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Dr. Brian Alderman serves as Chaplain of King University”
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.A chapel or worship space on campusYes (Chapel services are held in Memorial Chapel, which the official page describes as the site of chapel services.)
Sources (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel will be held in Memorial Chapel, 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., each Wednesday.”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayer1 or 2 times a week (1 weekly time documented: 1 chapel, 0 worship night, 0 prayer.)Computed from the verified chapel services, worship nights and prayer times listed on the college's page (each day a time is offered counts once).
Bible and theology
70 of 100 points · 5 of 6 found
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students1 course (Every traditional student chooses one class from RELG 1101 Understanding Christianity: The Bible or RELG 1102 Understanding Christianity: Thought and Practice. KING 4000 is counted under T3, not here.)
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Understanding Christianity: The Bible (4 s.h.)”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsOne choice among others (The Bible course is one choice with RELG 1102. Neither course description on the catalog states that Old and New Testament study is required.)
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“This course introduces students to the Bible and its”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses required1 course (KING 4000, Christian Faith and Social Responsibility, is required of all traditional degree-seeking students as part of the Common Experience.)
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“KING 4000, Christian Faith and Social”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (The general education description says it frames all academic work with a balanced Christian perspective.)
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“academic work with a balanced Christian perspective.”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Bible, theology or ministry major offeredYes (The Bible and Religion department offers an undergraduate Religious Studies program covering scripture and theology.)
Sources (1)
- Bible and Religion | King Universityking.edu/programs/bible-and-religion · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Engage critically with scripture, theology, church history, and world religions in a program rooted in King's Christian liberal arts tradition.”
- Bible and Religion | King Universityking.edu/programs/bible-and-religion · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.A published statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Christian community
Not enough information · 4 of 7 found
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (One professional ministry staff member (the chaplain) is named. The administrative assistant is not counted.)
Sources (1)
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Dr. Brian Alderman serves as Chaplain of King University”
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsMany (Weekly fellowship groups for worship, study and prayer, and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.)
Sources (1)
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Meeting weekly, fellowship groups provide small group settings for worship, study, sharing, prayer, and fun.”
“The FCA challenges athletes and others to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.”
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)In some halls (Nightly devotions led by students are held in Liston Hall for both men and women. Only that hall is named.)
Sources (1)
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“A brief time for devotions is held nightly in Liston Hall for both men and women.”
- Devotions and Fellowship | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/devotions-and-fellowship · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes (The Peeke School of Christian Mission and the Chaplain's Office lead spiritual life and Christian mission.)
Sources (1)
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Dr. Brian Alderman serves as Chaplain of King University”
“Peeke School of Christian Mission”
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
Missions and service
100 of 100 points · 4 of 6 found
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Service or outreach officeYes (The Chaplain's Office plans longer mission trips, and the official page describes service and mission projects.)
Sources (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Service and mission projects are a means of reaching beyond ourselves to the greater community”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Missions trips offered to studentsMany each year (The official page says the university plans several mission trips each year. This is recorded at the rubric's 'Many each year' level; the trips are offered, not required.)
Sources (1)
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“The University plans several mission trips each year.”
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Cross-cultural or global ministry programsMany (Mission trips to Africa, India and other destinations, a required Cross-Cultural Experience, and a long tradition of study abroad.)
Sources (1)
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“The University plans several mission trips each year.”
“King students have a long tradition of studying abroad.”
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes (Service and mission projects are described as reaching beyond ourselves with the love and compassion of God.)
Sources (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Service and mission projects are a means of reaching beyond ourselves to the greater community”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
Strengths
- Traditional students attend chapel each Wednesday in Memorial Chapel and must earn 10 chapel and convocation credits each semester.
Sources (2)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel will be held in Memorial Chapel, 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., each Wednesday.”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“student is required to earn 10 Chapel and Convocation”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- Every traditional student takes KING 4000, Christian Faith and Social Responsibility, and one Bible or Christianity course.
Sources (1)
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Understanding Christianity: The Bible (4 s.h.)”
“KING 4000, Christian Faith and Social”
- King University Academic Catalog 2026-2027media.king.edu/2026/08/academic-catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
- The university plans several mission trips each year, and a Cross-Cultural Experience is required.
Sources (1)
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“The University plans several mission trips each year.”
- Cross-Cultural Experience | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/cross-cultural-experience · verified Oct. 20, 2026
Concerns
- Only one chapel service a week is listed on official pages.
Sources (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel will be held in Memorial Chapel, 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., each Wednesday.”
“Convocation is an intellectual forum for the presentation of ideas”
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.
Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.
Campus ministry home
Chaplain's Office (Tadlock-Wallace Building)
- Address: 1350 King College Rd., Bristol, TN 37620
- Distance from campus: 0.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Source: king.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026, king.edu, verified Oct. 20, 2026
Campus ministry
Sources (1)
- Chaplain's Office | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/chapel/chaplains-office · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Dr. Brian Alderman serves as Chaplain of King University”
Christian clubs and student life
4 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 0 off campus, 1 location not published
Faith formation 1
- Residence hall devotions (Liston Hall)On campusNightlyBrief devotions led by King students.
Clubs and groups 2
- Fellowship groupsOn campusWeeklySmall groups for worship, study, sharing and prayer; many meet in residence halls in the evening.
- Fellowship of Christian AthletesServes athletes and others in knowing Jesus Christ on campus and in the community.
Worship and prayer 1
- ChapelOn campusWednesdays 9:15 amWeekly worship service in Memorial Chapel.
Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the church. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.
Chapel, worship and prayer
Confirm with the campus ministry
Chapel 1
- Wednesday9:15 AMMemorial Chapel · Chapel, 9:15 to 10:00 am; 2026-27 catalog and official convocation page.
Times come only from official campus ministry, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 20, 2026.
Sources for these times (1)
- Convocation | King Universityking.edu/faith-and-values/convocation · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Chapel will be held in Memorial Chapel, 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., each Wednesday.”
Plan a campus visit Chapel and worship times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.
| Family income | Price after aid |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | |
| $30,001–$48,000 | |
| $48,001–$75,000 | |
| $75,001–$110,000 | |
| Over $110,000 |
Full cost of attendance before aid: $49,004 a year.
Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.
Cost and value
Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.
| Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS) | 1,076 |
|---|---|
| Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023 | Men 41% · Women 59% |
| First-generation students College Scorecard | 51% |
| First-year students from another state IPEDS, fall 2023 | 51% |
| Total students | 1,295 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $22,347 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $49,004 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $22,750 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 48% |
| Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years | 38% |
| Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years | 39% |
| Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years | 60% |
| First-year retention | 60% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $59,831 |
| Admission rate | 100% |
| Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24 | No application fee |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 42% |
Value index: 58 / 100 (how it’s computed)
Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.
Earnings by major
Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).
| Major | Median earnings |
|---|---|
| Nursing | |
| Computing and information science | |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | |
| Business administration | |
| Communication studies | |
| Health administration | |
| Criminal justice | |
| Teacher education | |
| Psychology |
Also offered (no earnings published yet): Accounting, Allied health, Biochemistry, Biology, Business (general), Chemistry, Engineering (general), English, General studies, History, History and Political Science, Interdisciplinary studies, International relations, Kinesiology and exercise science, Liberal arts, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political science, Religious studies, Romance languages, Secondary education, Security science, Social work, Theatre, Visual and performing arts.
What students study most
Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).
| Field | Share of degrees |
|---|---|
| Business | |
| Health professions | |
| Public administration and social service | |
| Psychology | |
| Parks, recreation and fitness |
Campus facts
| School colors | |
|---|---|
| Setting | City |
| Part-time undergraduates | 10% |
| Undergraduates aged 25 and older | 27% |
| On-campus room and board (per year) | $10,880 |
| Sports | NCAA Division II · Conference Carolinas |
| ROTC | Army |
| Study abroad | Offered |
| Students per faculty member | 11 to 1 |
| Faculty who are full-time | 59%College Scorecard, fall 2023 |
| Endowment per student | $33,877IPEDS, 2023, per student |
| Dorm space | For about 41% of studentsBeds per undergraduate; not who lives on campus |
| Nearest airport with airline service | Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport (TRI)About 16 miles away |
| Nearest major airport | Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)About 117 miles away |
| Town population | 27,636Census, 2020–2024 |
| Nearest city of 250,000 people or more | Winston-SalemAbout 111 miles away |
| Typical weather | 35°F in January · 74°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Abingdon 3 S, VA, about 12 miles away |
Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors. None of this changes the faith grades.
Campus safety reports
On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.
| Category | This campus | U.S. rate |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| Robbery | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Aggravated assault | 0.00 | 0.04 |
| Burglary | 2.59 | 0.08 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 0.00 | 0.15 |
Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.
Christian churches nearby
No Christian churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check a local church directory.
Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the church.
Questions families ask
- Is King University a Christian college?
- Yes. King University is a Christian college.
- What is King University’s Compass Score?
- 73 out of 100 (grade B). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
- Where is chapel held at King University?
- Chapel is listed at Memorial Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the college’s spiritual life office before you go.
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Reach out
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About this school’s data
- IPEDS unit ID 220516
- Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
- Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Report an error or a newer source
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