Student Outcomes
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $50,273
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,051
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $191/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $22,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,406 | $20,834 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $20,320 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $41,087 | $22,073 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $40,281 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $23,144 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $22,940 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $36,745 | $22,366 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $35,416 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $34,259 | $18,280 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,096 | $17,984 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $22,180 |
Outcomes Overview
Athens State graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads, carrying a median of $18,051 compared to national averages exceeding $30,000. Monthly loan payments of $191 represent just 4.6% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 reflects strong value for working adults completing their degrees. With a 94.6% employment rate, most graduates leverage their credentials in education, business, and healthcare sectors throughout northern Alabama. The university's focus on degree completion for transfer students and working professionals shows in the financial outcomes. Many graduates were already employed while earning their degrees, explaining the immediate post-graduation earning power. This represents a strong return on investment for career advancement.