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Athens State University

Public Athens, AL · Town · Southeast · 67% data
B- Earnings D+ Diversity
Earnings (10yr)
$50,273 B-
Well above the typical college graduate
Enrollment
2,446
Earnings +23% vs avg

Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college.

What The Data Says

  1. A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Earnings 23% above the national college median.

Why Athens State University Matters

Athens State University is a public college in Athens, AL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
2,446
Setting
Town
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Health Professions

Why students choose Athens State University

Influential alumni network
High cross-class social capital and reach
Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C+
Top 44% overall
B-
Earnings
$50,273 median
D+
Diversity
0.43 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Athens State University caters to students looking for a practical education in fields like Education, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, and Psychology. With an enrollment of 2,446, the university fosters a tight-knit community where students can dive deep into their studies while also forming meaningful connections with peers and faculty. This setting is ideal for those who thrive in a supportive environment and appreciate a focused approach to learning.

After graduation, students can expect a 10-year earnings average of $50,273, which reflects the value of their education in the job market. This figure indicates that graduates are finding opportunities that allow them to build successful careers. With 43% of the student body receiving Pell Grants, Athens State demonstrates a commitment to supporting those who need financial assistance, making higher education more accessible for a diverse range of students.

When it comes to the financial aspect, students at Athens State can anticipate a median debt of $18,051, which is relatively manageable for many graduates. This reasonable debt load can lead to a smoother transition into the workforce, allowing students to focus on their careers rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who excel here are often self-motivated and eager to engage in their studies, making the most of the resources available to them.

Can I Get In?

How selective Athens State University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Athens State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Athens, Alabama, Athens State University enrolls students across a range of programs.

Full-Time Faculty
51%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$9,666
Student–Faculty Ratio
14:1
Diversity Index
0.43
First-Gen Students
48%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Athens State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The median graduate leaves with about $18,051 in federal student loans.

Median Debt
$18,051
Pell Grant Rate
43%
Federal Loan Rate
41%

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Athens State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Athens State University earn a median of $50,273, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$46,266
8 Years
$48,014
10 Years
$50,273
Debt-to-Earnings
0.36x
Earning > $25K
65%

Earnings Trajectory

$46,266 6yr $48,014 8yr $50,273 10yr

How Athens Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGEarnings 10yr$50KMedian Debt$18KPell Grant Rate43%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

How Connected Is Athens State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Athens State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.32, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Economic Connectedness
1.32
Cross-class friendships
Friending Bias
-0.04
Lower = more inclusive
Volunteering Rate
5.5%
Support Ratio
0.83
Community support

Research Note

267%
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=1,503). Quartile comparison of mean bottom-quintile success rate, split by economic connectedness (Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas × Mobility Report Card).

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$4,982,337
Federal Grants
$5,151,018
Investment Income
$-1,192,329

Top Programs

The fields Athens State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Athens State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Athens, Alabama, Athens State University enrolls students across a range of programs.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Athens State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

The median graduate leaves with about $18,051 in federal student loans.

Is Athens State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Athens State University earn a median of $50,273, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

How Connected Is Athens State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Athens State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.32, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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