Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) is a public, site link two-year technical college located in Athens, Georgia. Founded in 1958, it is part of the Technical College System of Georgia and operates multiple campuses across Northeast Georgia . The college serves over 5,500 students annually from more than 90 Georgia counties, a dozen states, and over 10 countries, offering more than 130 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs .
History and Institutional Profile
Athens Technical College was founded in 1958 as the Athens Area Vocational-Technical School. It was renamed Athens Area Technical Institute in 1987 and adopted its current name in 2000 . The college is the third oldest technical college in Georgia and has experienced remarkable growth—a 133% increase in enrollment over the past 12 years .
The college’s mission is to provide educational programs and services through traditional and online education methods to foster lifelong learning, facilitate workplace success, and promote economic development . As a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Athens Tech focuses on workforce development and career readiness.
Academic Programs
Athens Tech offers more than 190 programs of study, ranging from associate degrees to technical certifications . The college’s programs are designed to help students find high-paying, in-demand jobs after graduation .
Programs span a wide range of fields including:
- Health Sciences: Nursing, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Health Information Management Technology
- Technical Trades: Welding, Automotive Technology, Drafting, Electrical Systems
- Business and Technology: Business Administration, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, Data Processing
- Public Services: Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Social Work
- Specialized Fields: Veterinary Technology, Interior Design, Bioscience
The college uses a variety of instructional delivery models including traditional classroom/lab, online, live online, and hybrid formats . Faculty bring real-world experience to their instruction and stay attuned to local industry needs .
Accreditation
Athens Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. click here for more info In June 2024, SACSCOC reaffirmed the college’s accreditation for another 10 years, with the next reaffirmation scheduled for 2033 .
Several programs hold specialized programmatic accreditation :
- Nursing (ADNUR): Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene: Accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Physical Therapist Assistant: Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Radiologic Technology: Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
- Health Information Management Technology: Accredited by CAHIIM
- Paralegal Studies: Approved by the American Bar Association
Campuses
Athens Technical College operates four campus locations across Northeastern Georgia :
Athens Campus – 800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, GA 30601. This is the main campus where primary administrative offices are located .
Walton County Campus – Located in Monroe, Georgia, this campus opened in 1995 in Walton Plaza and moved to its current location on Bryant Road in 2006 .
Elbert County Campus – Serving Elbert County and surrounding areas.
Greene County Campus – Serving Greene County and surrounding areas.
Tuition and Fees
Athens Technical College offers affordable tuition rates. Based on the 2025-2026 catalog, tuition and fees for a typical course load are approximately $3,662 . The college assesses per-credit-hour tuition for most programs.
Residents of Georgia 62 years of age or older may attend on a space-available basis without paying tuition, though they are responsible for fees and books .
Athens Technical College does not participate in the Federal Stafford Student Loan program or the Federal Parent PLUS Loan program . The college encourages students to use loans as a last resort and limits borrowing to actual tuition, fees, and a book allowance .
Student Body and Outcomes
In 2024, Athens Technical College enrolled 4,459 students, with 18.1% enrolled full-time . The student body is 56.7% White, 18.5% Black or African American, and 17.3% Hispanic or Latino . The retention rate for full-time undergraduates is 73% .
The college reports strong employment outcomes. According to Board of Directors meeting minutes from September 2024, the job placement rate for Academic Year 2024 was 98.86%, and most programs have a 100% national board exam pass rate . The graduation rate for AY24 was 1,701 students, up from 1,694 in AY23 .
For the Radiologic Technology program specifically, the five-year credentialing exam pass rate (2020-2024) was 97.1%, with a 100% job placement rate and 100% program completion rate in 2024 .
Support for Veterans and Servicemembers
Athens Technical College provides support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families, including a dedicated point of contact . The college is a member of the Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding and maintains tuition policies specifically for veterans and servicemembers .
Conclusion
Athens Technical College occupies a vital role in Northeast Georgia’s workforce development ecosystem. As the third oldest technical college in Georgia, it combines decades of experience with a forward-looking focus on in-demand career fields. Its 98.86% job placement rate, extensive programmatic accreditation, and affordable tuition make it an accessible pathway to employment in healthcare, technical trades, business, and public services. For students seeking hands-on, career-focused education in the Athens region, go to this site Athens Tech offers a pragmatic and effective option.