Colleges in Athens, Tennessee
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Athens, Tennessee (1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $13,797 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 71.2%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 69% of applicants.
The median net price in Athens runs about $1,456 lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $15,253.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Athens, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$13,797
After aid
Median grad rate
71.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
69%
Median enrollment
526
Undergrad
All colleges in Athens
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN | TN | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $14,836 | 47.6% | 69% | 846 | Complete | |
| TCAT Athens Athens, TN | TN | Public, 2-year | $12,758 | 94.8% | Not available | 205 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in Athens are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- TCAT AthensNet price: $12,758Grad: 94.8%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Athens are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityNet price: $14,836Grad: 47.6%
Top programs in Athens
Most-completed programs across Athens colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions38.7% of degrees
- Business17.1% of degrees
- Parks & recreation7.1% of degrees
- Education6.8% of degrees
- Mechanic & repair4.7% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement4.5% of degrees
- Precision production3.6% of degrees
- Psychology3.6% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Athens
Q.How many colleges are in Athens, Tennessee?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Athens, Tennessee that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in Athens?
By undergraduate enrollment, Tennessee Wesleyan University is the largest institution in Athens with roughly 846 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Athens?
Based on average net price after aid, TCAT Athens is the most affordable institution in Athens at $12,758 per year.
Q.Which Athens college has the highest graduation rate?
TCAT Athens reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Athens institutions at 94.8%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Athens?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Athens is $13,797 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Athens?
Across Athens colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Parks & recreation.
Q.Are there community colleges in Athens?
Yes — Athens includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Tennessee
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Athens that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.