Athens, Georgia Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Athens, Georgia: median public in-state tuition $7,420 (+34.6% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $68,726 (+26.4% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 90.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $14,886 (+12.2% vs U.S.) 35,655 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 3 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 35,655 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $7,420 (+34.6% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $68,726 (+26.4% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 90.4% (+2.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $13,936 (+39.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $14,886 (+12.2% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 89.7%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 94.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Athens serve students across Georgia with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 3 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 35,655 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $7,420. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Athens, Georgia and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Athens vs Georgia & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, Georgia | $7,420 | $13,936 | $14,886 | 89.7% | 35,655 |
| Georgia (state median) | $4,094 | $9,196 | $16,167 | 41.0% | 426,705 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Athens, Georgia vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, Georgia | $68,726 | 90.4% | 94.0% | 3.5% | — | 75.4% | 0.27 |
| Georgia (state median) | $47,390 | 87.0% | 70.9% | 7.3% | — | 56.6% | 0.48 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Georgia (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, Georgia | $7,420 | $13,936 | $14,886 | 89.7% | 35,655 | $68,726 | 90.4% |
| Atlanta | $18,168 | $19,509 | $20,903 | 51.0% | 85,633 | $52,889 | 82.6% |
| Kennesaw | $5,808 | $15,038 | $17,032 | 52.2% | 41,415 | $57,552 | 86.4% |
| Savannah | $18,145 | $22,878 | $25,636 | 18.6% | 28,272 | $36,201 | 78.0% |
| Statesboro | $4,278 | $10,904 | $11,750 | 54.9% | 23,610 | $53,236 | 89.1% |
| Lawrenceville | $4,028 | $14,970 | $11,616 | 21.5% | 20,319 | $47,730 | 83.4% |
| Lawrenceville | $4,028 | $14,970 | $11,616 | 21.5% | 20,319 | $47,730 | 83.4% |
| Macon | $27,650 | $13,568 | $21,547 | 44.5% | 11,720 | $44,317 | 87.8% |
| Augusta | $11,167 | $16,812 | $11,750 | 31.6% | 10,686 | $40,905 | 88.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Top college in Athens, Georgia by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 89.7%, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 90.4%, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Most selective college in Athens, Georgia (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 37.7%, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,546, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $113,184, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $57,565, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $63,005, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $68,726, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $245,766, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Most affordable college in Athens, Georgia (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $13,936, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Top college in Athens, Georgia by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 94.0%, University of Georgia
University of Georgia
In-state tuition: Athens, Georgia vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Athens, Georgia median in-state tuition is $7,420, +34.6% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Athens, Georgia vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Athens, Georgia is $14,886 (+12.2% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.
Median earnings (10 years out): Athens, Georgia vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Athens, Georgia center around $68,726 (+26.4% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Athens, Georgia vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 90.4% at the median Athens, Georgia campus (+2.4 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Athens, Georgia median public in-state tuition is $7,420, about +34.6% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +48.6%.
Median graduate debt is $14,886 (+12.2% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Athens, Georgia are $68,726, about +26.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 90.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+2.4 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 94.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 75.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Georgia (90.4%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Athens, Georgia is 89.7% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Athens?
This city profile covers 3 campuses in Athens, Georgia with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Athens?
Median in-state tuition in Athens is $7,420 and median net price is $13,936. For Georgia overall, medians are $4,094 and $9,196; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Athens?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Athens is $68,726 vs $47,390 for Georgia and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Athens colleges?
Median completer debt in Athens is $14,886 vs $16,167 for Georgia and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Athens?
Top campuses on this page include University of Georgia (graduation) and University of Georgia (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Athens?
Among 3 College Scorecard campuses in Athens, Georgia, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.
Sources & related
- Georgia college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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