Athens Ranked Among Top College Towns on Rent Café List

Athens enters national ranking for the first time, placing 17th overall and 5th in the South.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:50pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of students walking through a leafy, sun-dappled campus, with soft pools of warm color and light creating a dreamlike, atmospheric quality.The vibrant college atmosphere and natural beauty of Athens, Georgia contribute to the city's high rankings as one of the nation's best college towns.Athens Today

The city of Athens, Georgia has been ranked as the 17th best college town in the United States and the 5th best in the South according to Rent Café's 2026 Best College Towns ranking. Athens' high graduation rate of 86.35% and retention rate of 92% were cited as key factors in its strong performance.

Why it matters

Athens' inclusion on this prestigious list highlights the University of Georgia's ability to attract and retain students, as well as the city's overall appeal as a vibrant college town with a high quality of life. This recognition could boost Athens' reputation and draw even more students and investment to the area.

The details

Rent Café's annual study analyzed more than 240 college towns nationwide using metrics tied to education quality, quality of life, and affordability. Athens entered the national list for the first time this year, ranking 16th nationally in graduation rate at 86.35% - about 25 percentage points above the national average. The city also ranked 25th nationally for retention rate at 92%, compared to a national average of 77.9%.

  • Rent Café released its 2026 Best College Towns ranking in April 2026.

The players

Rent Café

A real estate research firm that publishes an annual ranking of the best college towns in the United States.

University of Georgia

The flagship public research university located in Athens, Georgia, which was a key factor in the city's high rankings for graduation and retention rates.

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The takeaway

Athens' strong performance in Rent Café's college town rankings underscores the University of Georgia's ability to attract and retain top students, as well as the city's overall appeal as a vibrant and affordable college community. This recognition could help drive further growth and investment in Athens.