Colleges & Universities
DeKalb County benefits from the proximity of several 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities. Technical education programs are available at Northeast Community College, located on the Jackson-DeKalb County line, and from the Bevill Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Gadsden State Community College. Additionally, Alabama’s education system offers many workforce development and training programs for area industries.
Northeast Alabama Community College
Visit the Northeast Alabama Community College website
Northeast Alabama Community College is located on the Jackson County-DeKalb County line and provides a two-year program. The college offers both academic and technical degree programs, as well as workforce development and skills training courses.
Technical courses are available in:
- Child Development
- Cosmetology
- Drafting & Design Technology
- Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic
- Industrial Electronics
- Industrial System Technology
- Machine Tool Technology
- Medical Assisting
- Welding Technology
Athens State University Northeast Center
Visit the Athens State University Northeast Center website
Students in Northeast Alabama can complete a four-degree program from Athens State University while attending most of their classes on the Northeast Alabama Community College Campus. The Athens courses begin at the junior level and are available after 60 hours of previous coursework has been completed.
Degree programs offered at the center include:
- Elementary Education
- Early Childhood
- Religious Studies
- Public Safety and Health Administration
- Business Management
- Liberal Studies
Snead State Community College
Visit the Snead State Community College website
Snead State Community College has three campuses in Northeast Alabama. The main campus is located 30 miles from Fort Payne in Boaz, AL. The college offers 2-year academic and technical degrees, in addition to workforce training, technical certification, and continuing education courses.
Gadsden State Community College
Visit the Gadsden State Community College website
Located approximately 38 miles south is Gadsden State Community College, which provides two-year programs and technical degrees. Also located in Gadsden is the Bevill Center for Advanced Manufacturing providing manufacturing training for the area.
Shorter University
Visit the Shorter University website
Located approximately 40 miles from Fort Payne in Rome, GA, Shorter University provides undergraduate and pre-professional programs.
Berry College
Visit the Berry College website
Forty-five miles away in Mount Berry, GA, Berry College provides fully accredited arts, sciences and professional programs plus specialized graduate programs in education and business administration.
Covenant College
Visit the Covenant College website
Lookout Mountain, GA's Covenant College launches students into careers in politics, science, medicine, business, computer science, education, Christian missions and the arts.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Visit the UTC website
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs and pre-professional medical programs. The university is located approximately 50 miles north of Fort Payne.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Visit the UAH website
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) campus is located approximately 75 miles away in Huntsville, AL. The university is known for its engineering program, and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Alabama A&M University
Visit the Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M University offers undergraduate degree programs in the areas of arts and sciences, education, business, agricultural and environmental sciences, and engineering and technology. The university, located approximately 75 miles from DeKalb County in Huntsville, AL.
Jacksonville State University
Visit the Jacksonville State University website
Jacksonville State University is located approximately 80 miles from Fort Payne and provides four-year and graduate degree programs.
Sewanee: The University of the South
Visit the Sewanee website
Sewanee is located approximately 80 miles from Fort Payne in Tennessee and offers 46 undergraduate majors, as well as pre-professional programs.
