A historic private college in Bristol, Virginia that served students for 130 years before closing in 2014.
Virginia Intermont offered Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees. The college was organized into four divisions: Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts, Pre-Professional Studies (Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Pre-Vet), and Business Administration. Programs included equine studies, business administration, computer information management, culinary arts, dance, English, and allied health. The college was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) until 2013, when accreditation was denied due to financial difficulties.
The 147-acre suburban campus was located eight blocks from downtown Bristol and featured a blend of historic and modern buildings. Key facilities included the Worrell Fine Arts Center (1961), Science Hall (1963, renovated 2011), Harrison-Jones Memorial Hall (1967), the J.F. Hicks Memorial Library with over 160,000 items, and student housing in Main Complex, Hodges Hall, East Hall, Intermont Hall, Prader Hall, and West Hall. The college maintained a riding center six miles from campus with indoor and outdoor rings. Athletic teams, called the Cobras, competed in NAIA sports including baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross-country, track and field, and equestrian events.
Founded in 1884 by Reverend J.R. Harrison as Southwest Virginia Institute in Glade Spring, the college relocated to Bristol in 1891–1893. It became the first two-year institution accredited by SACS in 1910 and transitioned to a four-year institution in the early 1970s. After 130 years of operation, the college announced closure on May 20, 2014, due to declining enrollment and financial difficulties. A merger with Webber International University failed in April 2014. The campus was sold in December 2016 for $3.3 million to U.S. Magis International Education Center. On December 20, 2024, a devastating fire destroyed the original core buildings including Main Hall, West Hall, East Hall, and the Administration building.
The college accepted applications for freshman, transfer, auditing, visiting, and readmit students. An application fee of $15 was required, along with official transcripts and standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). The college offered an Adult Degree Studies Program (ADS) for non-traditional students. Applicants could indicate housing preferences (on-campus or commute) and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). The admissions office was located at Box D-460, 1013 Moore Street, Bristol, Virginia 24201.