Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Athens

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Mcminn-county-courthouse1Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Athens

Athens is home to Tennessee Wesleyan University

Tennessee Wesleyan University (941 students on campus) is inside the city. About 6% of Athens’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Tennessee (5%).

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.

Within 15 miles
1
941 students on campus
Nearest college
1 mi
Tennessee Wesleyan University
Residents in college
6%
About the same as TN (5%)
Nearest community college
23.5 mi
Cleveland State · $4,762 tuition
Nearest public university
48.4 mi
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · $10,448 in-state
Median household income
$54K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Athens

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in AthensTennessee Wesleyan University has 941 students on campus in Athens, 48% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 23.5 miles awayCleveland State Community College in Cleveland: tuition and fees $4,762 a year for Tennessee residents.In-state price at The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaLiving in Tennessee, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga charges $10,448 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $18,512. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Athens

One private college within 1 mile. The nearest public four-year college, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, is 48.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miTennessee Wesleyan UniversityAthens
University or collegeCommunity college
Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 941 on campus · In Athens69%admitted$15knet price48%graduate$46kearnings

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 it costs

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.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Athens’ median household income ($53,929) falls.

Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityIn Athens · sticker $39,440$12,647a year
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga48.4 mi · Chattanooga · sticker $25,489$13,594a year

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.

Outcomes

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.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityThe University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga50% graduate$51k earnings$20k typical debt
Tennessee Wesleyan University48% graduate$46k earnings$20k typical debt

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.

Majors

What students study in Athens

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Tennessee Wesleyan University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 44%Business 22%Parks & recreation 8%Psychology 8%Education 5%Biology 4%Everything else 10%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing59 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations50 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25 graduates a year
$37k4 yrs out
Marketing23 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods14 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services9 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Athens

Is Athens a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Athens residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, Tennessee Wesleyan University, has 941 students on campus.

What colleges are in Athens?

Tennessee Wesleyan University is inside the city. Cleveland State Community College is 23.5 miles away in Cleveland.

What is the closest community college to Athens, and what does it cost?

Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, 23.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,762 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $6,384, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $10,448 a year in-state and $18,512 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,876 (under $30,000 income) to $19,137 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 →