Athens State University is currently in operation and has been in continuous operation as the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) since being accepted into the system in 1975 by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama Legislature. Athens State College (the name given the institution at the time of its acceptance) was officially renamed Athens State University in 1998, but traces its historical roots to the founding of the Athens Female Academy in 1822.

Current enrollment of students in degree programs is evidenced by data submitted by Athens State University to the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education through the Data Access Exchange (DAX) and by the submission of Integrated Post-secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) reports to the United States Department of Education. Additionally, Athens State University’s electronic Fact Books contain data regarding the enrollment of students by program and by academic year and term.