Is College of Athens a Christian college?

Yes. College of Athens is a Christian college.

Is College of Athens Compass Recommended?

Yes. College of Athens meets the Compass Recommended standard for Christian identity and academics.

Christian college

College of Athens

Watkinsville, GA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Nondenominational and Interdenominational

College of Athens is an interdenominational Christian college serving the Athens, Georgia area, accredited by TRACS, that offers bachelor's degrees in Christian Ministry and in Business & Leadership. Its official pages describe a required Christian Core for every student, service required each semester, and annual worship and prayer events, including a Transformational Prayer Ministry Center.

Faith life at a glance

Questions students ask

Where do I find community?

Anyone can receive 90 minutes of focused prayer at the Transformational Prayer Ministry Center, and confidential prayer ministry is open to the public.

Source: collegeofathens.edu

Can I serve or go on mission trips?

Each year the college sends a mission team to Boston, Massachusetts, and a team to Atlanta with a mission partner.

Source: collegeofathens.edu

Academic Excellence

Academic Excellence is computed for four-year colleges with at least 100 undergraduates. Seminaries, graduate-only schools, and two-year colleges are not rated.

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

N/A

Worship and chapel

Not enough information · 2 of 7 found

Not enough information:
Chapel services during the weekNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Chapel attendance expected of studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Student worship nights or praise servicesNow and then (An annual community-wide worship event (A.D.O.R.E.) is held on campus.)
Sources (1)
1. A.D.O.R.E. | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/adore · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “This annual event takes place on our campus property”
  An annual outdoor worship event is held on the college's campus property.
Partly:
Prayer opportunities (prayer rooms, prayer groups, days or weeks of prayer)Now and then (The Transformational Prayer Ministry Center offers prayer sessions on request and is open to the public.)
Sources (1)
1. Frequently Asked Questions | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The CoA Transformational Prayer Ministry Center is a place where any individual can receive 90 minutes of intentional, focused prayer”
  The Transformational Prayer Ministry Center offers prayer sessions to anyone who asks.
  “Confidential Prayer Ministry is open to the public.”
  Confidential prayer ministry is open to the public.
Not enough information:
Campus pastors or chaplains serving studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
A chapel or worship space on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Published weekly schedule of chapel, worship and prayerNot enough information: no verified chapel or worship times are recorded.

Bible and theology

100 of 100 points · 4 of 6 found

Yes:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (Required of all students in the Christian Core of both bachelor's programs: Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey and Inductive Bible Study (three distinct courses).)
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “All students must complete the Christian Core requirements”
  Every student must complete the Christian Core, which is designed around the biblical truths in the college's Belief Statement.
  “Old Testament Survey* New Testament Survey *”
  Old and New Testament surveys are required general education courses in the bachelor's programs.
  “Inductive Bible Study*”
  Inductive Bible Study is a required Christian Core course in the bachelor's programs.
Yes:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students (Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey are required in both bachelor's programs.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Old Testament Survey* New Testament Survey *”
  Old and New Testament surveys are required general education courses in the bachelor's programs.
Not enough information:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses requiredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Bible, theology or ministry major offeredOffered as a minor or concentration (Biblical Studies is offered as a concentration within the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BACM — BIBLICAL STUDIES”
  A Biblical Studies concentration is offered within the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry.
Yes:
A published statement of faithYes
Sources (1)
1. Our Beliefs | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/our-beliefs · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “The Bible consists of the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments”
  The college publishes a statement of belief.

Christian community

77 of 100 points · 4 of 7 found

Partly:
Spiritual life staff (pastors, ministers and professional staff)3 to 4 (Three professional ministry staff are named: Director of Outreach & Student Affairs, Director of the Transformational Prayer Ministry Center, and Director of the Lifelong Ministry Program.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Director of Outreach & Student Affairs: Mr. Alex Fields”
  Alex Fields is the Director of Outreach & Student Affairs.
  “Director of the Transformational Prayer Ministry Center: Mrs. Dee Pesaresi”
  Dee Pesaresi directs the Transformational Prayer Ministry Center.
  “Director of the Lifelong Ministry Program: Mrs. Paula Riobo”
  Paula Riobo directs the Lifelong Ministry Program.
Yes:
Retreats or spiritual emphasis weeks each yearSeveral (Annual events listed: A.D.O.R.E., National Day of Prayer, New Year-New Heart, Pastors Appreciation and the Transformed! Conference.)
Sources (1)
1. Upcoming Events | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/upcoming-events-list · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Annual Events ADORE Gala National Day of Prayer New Year-New Heart Pastors Appreciation Transformed! Conference”
  The college holds several annual spiritual and community events.
Not enough information:
Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
No:
Faith life in residence halls (hall Bible studies, resident ministry leaders)None listed (The college has no student housing at this time.)
Sources (1)
1. Frequently Asked Questions | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Not at this time, however, CoA students will find ample available housing in the Athens area”
  The college does not currently offer student housing.
Yes:
Help finding a local church (church fairs, rides, partner churches)Yes (A church directory lists area churches, including partner churches.)
Sources (1)
1. Church Directory | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/church-directory · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Hope Crossings Church 2106 Old Pendergrass Road, Jefferson, GA 30549”
  The college publishes a directory of area churches, including partner churches.
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes (The Director of Outreach & Student Affairs oversees the planning of an annual missions trip, and the Missions & Outreach page lists the office's scope.)
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Oversee the planning of an annual missions trip for CoA students and surrounding community.”
  The Director of Outreach & Student Affairs oversees an annual missions trip.

Missions and service

85 of 100 points · 6 of 6 found

Yes:
Service or outreach officeYes (The Missions & Outreach office and the annual ServeAthens service day have a named staff contact.)
Sources (2)
1. ServeAthens In Christ's Name | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/serveathens-icn · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “ServeAthens has been held annually since 2013”
  ServeAthens is an annual citywide service day.
2. Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “please email Alex Fields at a.fields@collegeofathens.edu”
  Alex Fields is the contact for mission-related opportunities.
Yes:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumRequired of all students (Each semester, students must complete one service hour for each credit hour, and this is a graduation requirement.)
Sources (1)
1. Degree Programs | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/degree-programs · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Each semester, CoA students are expected to fulfill one hour of service at an approved service site for each credit hour”
  Students complete one hour of service per credit hour each semester, and this is required to graduate.
Partly:
Missions trips offered to studentsSome (Two annual trips are listed (a week-long Boston trip and a one-day Atlanta immersion trip).)
Sources (1)
1. Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Each year CoA sends a mission team to Boston, Massachusetts, for a week”
  A short-term mission trip to Boston is sent each year.
  “Each year CoA sends a team to Atlanta with one of our mission partners”
  A one-day cultural immersion trip to Atlanta is sent each year.
Yes:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceMany (The annual ServeAthens event worked with 26 churches in 2025.)
Sources (1)
1. ServeAthens In Christ's Name | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/serveathens-icn · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “we had over 100 volunteers serving at 10 different service sites from 26 different churches”
  The 2025 ServeAthens service day drew volunteers from 26 churches.
  “ServeAthens has been held annually since 2013”
  ServeAthens is an annual citywide service day.
Partly:
Cross-cultural or global ministry programsSome (Mission partners for global and cross-cultural service are listed, with one overseas partnership under discussion.)
Sources (1)
1. Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “our ministry partners that we co-labor with for the spread of the gospel”
  The college lists ministry partners for missions work.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “passionately fulfilling the great commission of Jesus Christ through worldwide service”
  The college's missions program is tied to the Great Commission.

Strengths

Every student completes the Christian Core, and both bachelor's programs require Old Testament and New Testament surveys and Inductive Bible Study.
Sources (1)
1. 2026–27 Academic Program Catalog, College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-27-CoA-Academic-Program-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “All students must complete the Christian Core requirements”
  Every student must complete the Christian Core, which is designed around the biblical truths in the college's Belief Statement.
  “Old Testament Survey* New Testament Survey *”
  Old and New Testament surveys are required general education courses in the bachelor's programs.
  “Inductive Bible Study*”
  Inductive Bible Study is a required Christian Core course in the bachelor's programs.
Service is required each semester, with one service hour per credit hour as a graduation requirement.
Sources (1)
1. Degree Programs | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/degree-programs · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Each semester, CoA students are expected to fulfill one hour of service at an approved service site for each credit hour”
  Students complete one hour of service per credit hour each semester, and this is required to graduate.
Missions and service are organized through a staffed Missions & Outreach office, with an annual citywide service day.
Sources (2)
1. ServeAthens In Christ's Name | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/serveathens-icn · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “ServeAthens has been held annually since 2013”
  ServeAthens is an annual citywide service day.
  “we had over 100 volunteers serving at 10 different service sites from 26 different churches”
  The 2025 ServeAthens service day drew volunteers from 26 churches.
2. Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “please email Alex Fields at a.fields@collegeofathens.edu”
  Alex Fields is the contact for mission-related opportunities.

Concerns

The college does not currently offer student housing.
Sources (1)
1. Frequently Asked Questions | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Not at this time, however, CoA students will find ample available housing in the Athens area”
  The college does not currently offer student housing.

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Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)

Frequently Asked Questions | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/frequently-asked-questions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“The CoA Transformational Prayer Ministry Center is a place where any individual can receive 90 minutes of intentional, focused prayer”
The Transformational Prayer Ministry Center offers prayer sessions to anyone who asks.
“Confidential Prayer Ministry is open to the public.”
Confidential prayer ministry is open to the public.
Missions & Outreach | College of Athenscollegeofathens.edu/missions · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“passionately fulfilling the great commission of Jesus Christ through worldwide service”
The college's missions program is tied to the Great Commission.
“please email Alex Fields at a.fields@collegeofathens.edu”
Alex Fields is the contact for mission-related opportunities.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	71
Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023	Men 73% · Women 27%
Total students	84
First-year retention	100%
Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24	$35
Financial aid priority deadline College website, 2026-27	March 15
Typical rent HUD fair market rent, FY2026	About $1,183 a month for a one-bedroom
Students receiving Pell grants	0%

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Campus facts

Setting	Suburb
Part-time undergraduates	95%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	20%
Students per faculty member	6 to 1
Disability services	Visit the office’s pageThe college’s own page
Nearest airport with airline service	Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)About 60 miles away · about 1 hour 40 minutes by car
Town population	3,350Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or more	AtlantaAbout 58 miles away · about 1 hour 30 minutes by car
Typical weather	44°F in January · 79°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Watkinsville 5 Sse, GA, about 5 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). None of this changes the faith grades.

Questions families ask

Is College of Athens a Christian college?: Yes. College of Athens is a Christian college.
Is College of Athens Compass Recommended?: Yes. College of Athens meets the Compass Recommended standard for Christian identity and academics.

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About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 493974
Accreditation: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Interdenominational
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