Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainAthens is home to Athens State University
Athens State University (874 students on campus) is inside the city. About 5% of Athens’ residents are enrolled in college, below Alabama (6%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Athens. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college in Athens
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Colleges within 15 miles of Athens
Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Athens.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at $48–75k, where Athens’ median household income ($69,922) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college in Athens
Is Athens a college town?
No. About 5 of every 100 Athens residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Alabama (6). The largest campus in the city, Athens State University, has 874 students on campus.
What colleges are in Athens?
Athens State University is inside the city. John C Calhoun State Community College is 9.5 miles away in Tanner.
What is the closest community college to Athens, and what does it cost?
John C Calhoun State Community College in Tanner, 9.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,120 a year for Alabama residents; the federal net price, $7,660, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does the University of Alabama in Huntsville cost if we live in Alabama?
Tuition and fees are $12,132 a year in-state and $26,408 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $16,192 (under $30,000 income) to $21,501 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Athens. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →