Best Community Colleges in Georgia

The higher education experts at BestColleges have reviewed top community colleges in Georgia. Start planning your future today.
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Updated on June 13, 2023
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More and more students attend postsecondary schools to gain specialized skills and hands-on training to prepare them for entry-level careers and advancement. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. is expected to grow from 16.8 to 17.2 million students between 2017 and 2028. Individuals who possess college degrees benefit from more job opportunities and higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that those with an associate degree earn an average of $7,000 more in annual salary than those with only a high school diploma.

Due to the significant costs associated with college, not every student wants to earn their bachelor's degree immediately after high school. Community colleges offer convenient alternatives because they deliver flexible associate programs that allow candidates to pursue higher education while juggling professional or personal commitments. Two-year schools traditionally emphasize career placement, and many provide technical certificate and diploma programs for students who want to work in lucrative trade industries. Community colleges also generally offer lower tuition prices than four-year universities.

Top 10 Community Colleges in Georgia

#1 Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GA
#2 South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA
#3 Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA
#4 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA
#5 Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA
#6 Southeastern Technical College Vidalia, GA
#7 Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA
#8 Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sandersville, GA
#9 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA
#10 Lanier Technical College Oakwood, GA

The sheer number of academic and occupational training programs available may be overwhelming as you research potential schools. To assist your search, this guide ranks the 20 best community colleges in Georgia. Each profile offers information on aspects like tuition, admission criteria, and student resources. You will also learn about programmatic offerings and online learning options. If a school piques your interest, contact the institution's admissions specialists for additional details. These counselors can help you both navigate the enrollment process and apply for scholarships and grants.

By attending a community college in Georgia, you stand to benefit from expanding work opportunities. As of July 2019, BLS data showed the Peach State's unemployment rate at 3.6%, well below the national average. The state also features ample career prospects for growing industries like business services, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism. Additionally, the state features an affordable cost of living; even in metropolitan areas like Atlanta, the living cost is lower than the national average.

Best Community Colleges in Georgia

Best Community Colleges in Georgia

  1. Coastal Pines Technical College
    Location

    Waycross, GA

    Tuition

    $3823

    Located in Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College focuses on lifelong learning and workforce development programs. CPTC operates multiple campuses and enrolls over 2,400 students. The college features an accessible admission process and offers dual enrollment for state high school students and approved homeschoolers. As one of the best community colleges in Georgia, CPTC features affordable tuition and financial aid opportunities, including private scholarships available through the school's foundation and the HOPE Career Grant.

    The academic catalog at CPTC contains degree options in fields like business technology, criminal justice, healthcare science, and environmental horticulture. The school offers trade programs in air conditioning technology, welding and joining technology, and electrical line work. Learners can also earn an occupational certificate in cosmetology, with specializations in hair design and shampoo technology. To support students' diverse needs, the college operates a distance education platform that offers entirely remote classes. Distance learners can also earn one of five associate degrees online.

  2. South Georgia Technical College
    Location

    Americus, GA

    Tuition

    $5164

    South Georgia Technical College delivers more than 200 certificate, diploma, and associate programs. As the second-oldest community college in Georgia, SGTC provides accessible education to all students, with dedicated services for active military and veterans. Learners pay affordable tuition rates based on the type of program, not residency status. SGTC facilitates federal aid, state grants, and private awards, including the Zen Miller Scholarship for high-achieving students. Additionally, the college maintains compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which provides funding for low-income learners and individuals who have been laid off.

    SGTC operates dual-enrollment and general education programs. The academic catalog also includes associate options in fields like accounting, computer support, sports and fitness management, and early childhood care and education. Students who want to earn occupational certificates choose from programs in aircraft structural technology, commercial wiring, and practical nursing. Learners can also develop entrepreneurial skills to help them open and manage small businesses. The college offers online classes through Blackboard.

  3. Southern Regional Technical College
    Location

    Thomasville, GA

    Tuition

    $2275

    Based in Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a multicampus school that features more than 155 certificate, diploma, and associate programs. Students who want to attend SRTC must satisfy testing requirements by submitting adequate ACT/SAT scores or by passing the ACCUPLACER exam. The college bases its low tuition prices on residency status. Learners can receive financial aid from numerous sources, including FAFSA awards, institutional scholarships, and state funding through programs like the HOPE Career Grant and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

    As one of the top community colleges in Georgia, SRTC delivers career-focused certification options in fields like advanced CAD, emergency medical response, and medical billing. Students can also train to become industrial electricians by taking classes like AC circuit analysis and direct currents. For candidates who want to transfer into a bachelor's-completion program, SRTC offers flexible associate degrees in business management, social work, and veterinary technology. Students can also pursue two-year programs in criminal justice and cybersecurity.

  4. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
    Location

    Valdosta, GA

    Tuition

    $2345

    Established in 1963, Wiregrass Georgian Technical College prepares graduates for successful careers in an ever-changing economy. The school offers industry-relevant certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees at four campuses and 12 learning centers. In addition to affordable tuition and financial support, WGTC helps students cut costs through a generous transfer policy. Candidates can earn credits for portfolio items; professional certification/licensure; standardized test scores; prior college courses; and military, corporate, and apprenticeship training.

    Like other community colleges in Georgia, WGTC offers online learning and dual-enrollment opportunities. Students whose main goal is job entry may earn certificates in high-demand industries likes patient care assisting, industrial electrician work, surgical technology, and culinary arts. The college also operates transferable associate programs, with options like computer programming, engineering technology, nursing, and website design. Additionally, WGTC hosts the Georgia Teacher Academy of Preparation and Pedagogy, an alternative teacher education and licensure program for individuals with college degrees in unrelated fields.

  5. Ogeechee Technical College
    Location

    Statesboro, GA

    Tuition

    $5991

    Ogeechee Technical College was founded in 1986 as part of the Technical College System of Georgia. Today, OTC offers career-relevant academic programming in areas like agribusiness, fish and wildlife management, and paramedicine technology. Students can also earn a pharmacy technology diploma, which trains them in areas like sterilizing and dispensing medications. Candidates round out their program by completing a practicum to cultivate hands-on experience.

    OTC offers associate degrees in business technology, technical management, and criminal justice. Candidates who want to complete core requirements before declaring a major can enroll in the general studies track. Through the state's HOPE Career Grant, OTC offers tuition-free education in fields like commercial truck driving, welding and joining technology, and early childhood care and education. Students can prepare for construction careers by earning certificates in advanced carpentry and construction management. Like other community colleges in Georgia, OTC operates its online classes and academic programs through Blackboard.

  6. Southeastern Technical College
    Location

    Vidalia, GA

    Tuition

    $3216

    Located in Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College opened its doors in 1963 with a class of 32 students. Today, the school delivers certificate, diploma, and associate programs in 27 areas. Students can also take advantage of online learning, including options with hybrid and fully remote classes. Additionally, STC offers general education programs, which include high school equivalent classes, GED test preparation courses, and workshops designed to help individuals transition into college.

    Students who want to earn career-focused certificates and diplomas pick from program options like automotive engine repair, healthcare office assisting, and electrical construction. STC also offers six computer information systems certificates in areas like cybercrime specialist and website development. Additionally, learners can pursue CompTIA A+ certificate preparation, which enables them to earn the organization's entry-level professional certificate.

    STC delivers associate programs like electronics technology, healthcare management, and accounting in addition to two nursing programs. The first is a traditional, two-year track leading to an associate of science. Alternatively, individuals with unrestricted LPN and EMT-P licenses can enroll in the bridge pathway to earn their associate degree in under 18 months.

  7. Georgia Northwestern Technical College
    Location

    Rome, GA

    Tuition

    $3774

    Georgia Northwestern Technical College supports the communities of northwest Georgia by offering affordable workforce development and academic programs. GNTC features an accessible admissions policy that only requires students to complete an online application and pass the placement exam (or submit adequate ACT/SAT results). Students pay affordable tuition rates based on residency status, with separate pricing for law enforcement and commercial truck driving programs. On top of federal loans and work-study awards, learners can apply for state grants and university scholarships.

    GNTC offers fully online associate programs powered by Blackboard. Students pick from degrees in fields like accounting, business healthcare technology, and website design and development. Candidates can also earn an associate of logistics and supply chain management, which prepares them for careers in manufacturing, import/export, and pharmaceutical sales. For individuals interested in trade and technical careers, GNTC delivers certificates in aviation maintenance technology, computerized accounting, and patient care assisting.

  8. Oconee Fall Line Technical College
    Location

    Sandersville, GA

    Tuition

    $3979

    Based in Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College supports the workforce development of east central Georgia through affordable academic and career training programs. OFTC offers low tuition and generous financial support, which includes scholarships for students pursuing careers in mining and agriculture. Learners also benefit from one-on-one academic advising and dedicated career services.

    OFTC offers numerous certificates and diplomas in fields like tax preparation and early childhood program administration. Students can also earn career-focused credentials in radiologic technology, with focus options for imaging science, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. Furthermore, the college operates eight diesel equipment technology programs, including an associate degree track.

    Additional associate programs include healthcare management, cybersecurity, nursing, and accounting. OFTC also offers a two-year curriculum guarantee: if graduates find that their program did not adequately prepare them for standard industry employment, the college will provide retraining at no instructional cost.

  9. Atlanta Technical College
    Location

    Atlanta, GA

    Tuition

    $2882

    Established in 1945 as a vocational school, Atlanta Technical College enrolls 4,800 students each semester in certificate, diploma, associate, and continuing education programs. Prospective learners submit academic transcripts and standardized test results (SAT, ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS). ATC provides affordable tuition prices based on residency status. The college delivers financial aid in the forms of federal funding, tuition reimbursement, and veterans benefits. Students can also apply for private awards like the AGL Resources Scholarship for trade careers.

    ATC operates transferable associate degrees in accounting, bioscience technology, forensics, and supply chain management. Students can also earn an associate of computer information systems, with specialized options like databases and cybersecurity. Learners can supplement their training by earning technical certificates in JAVA programming, Linux/Unix administration, and Microsoft network administration.

    Additional certificate programs include electrical systems technology, pharmacy assisting, and welding and joining technology. To help working professionals, ATC offers weekend and weeknight programs. Students can also pursue their college education online.

  10. Lanier Technical College
    Location

    Oakwood, GA

    Tuition

    $4325

    Lanier Technical College educates more than 5,200 students every semester. The school focuses on workforce development and offers career-technical education, customized industry training, and education programs. LTC delivers online education through Blackboard. Distance learners can take individual classes or pursue entire credentials remotely. Options for the latter include associate programs in business management, fire science technology, and emergency management. Candidates can also earn an online interdisciplinary studies degree, which allows them to customize their curriculum according to individual goals.

    The catalog features campus-based programs in areas like dental hygiene, horticulture, and paramedicine. LTC is one of the few community colleges in Georgia to offer an associate in wireless engineering technology. The program covers topics like antenna theory and mobile site equipment applications. Candidates also develop computer programming and scripting skills. Students pay an affordable tuition rate regardless of where they reside and may be eligible for federal aid, state funding, or LTC foundational scholarships.

Click here to see the best colleges in Georgia.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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