Best Colleges in Georgia

UGA ranks as the best college in Georgia. Established in 1785, the university is the oldest public college in the country. More than 230 years later, UGA educates entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders.

What makes UGA stand out? The public college offers multiple dual bachelor's and master's programs that can help you save time and money. You can choose from over 800 student organizations and 130 study abroad programs. And UGA is a leader in experiential learning.

A public college in Atlanta, Georgia State has a diverse student body of over 52,000 students from 150 countries around the world. You can choose from over 250 bachelor's programs. And when you're not in class, you can take advantage of Atlanta's food, culture, and business opportunities. 

Georgia State also operates perimeter campuses around the Atlanta metro area, allowing students to choose between different learning environments. And you'll pay around $10,000 per year for tuition, fees, books, and supplies, which makes Georgia State more affordable than many other universities in Georgia.

The Peach State's top-ranked tech institute is also a public university, making it more affordable than many private colleges in Georgia. Georgia Tech enrolls more than 45,000 students on its campuses in Atlanta, France, and China. Or you can earn a Georgia Tech degree online.

The 400-acre wooded campus in Atlanta welcomes students. Popular majors include engineering, computing, business, liberal arts, and the sciences. You'll also develop research and leadership skills through experiential learning opportunities.

Looking for an affordable college in Georgia? Then consider KSU. Georgia residents pay around $5,500 per year in tuition at this public college. 

When you're on campus, you'll live in a residential community and participate in over 300 student-led organizations. In the classroom, KSU offers more than 180 programs from its campus just 15 miles outside of Atlanta. It's also Georgia's third-largest university, with nearly 43,000 students. More Georgia teachers and nurses graduate from KSU than from any other college.

If you're interested in art or design, SCAD is one of the best colleges in Georgia. As a professional college, you'll take career-focused classes with an emphasis on industry-specific skills. And if you're not in Savannah, you can take classes online. 

You'll take small classes and receive individual attention. And you'll have over 100 programs to choose from, making SCAD one of the largest art and design universities in the country.

Over 4,000 students attend Clark Atlanta University, which is one of the best HBCUs in Atlanta. It's also a historic institution, formed by the union between the country's first college that offered graduate degrees to Black students and the first four-year liberal arts college for Black students.

You can choose from 40 areas of study at this private college. And when you're not in class, you can participate in the vibrant campus life that encourages innovation and culture.

Many rank Emory at the top of their list of private colleges in Georgia. And it's easy to see why. Emory has a reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research facilities. The university's 8,000 undergrads choose from over 80 majors, with most enrolling in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Emory students are active on and off campus. The campus boasts over 325 clubs and organizations, and 80% of students volunteer. Emory also commits to meeting 100% of the financial need of first-degree undergrads.

Dating back to 1881, Atlanta's Spelman College is one of the top-ranked HBCUs in the country. Today, it's a well-known women's liberal arts college. The private college encourages academic excellence, leadership development, and service. 

As a Spelman student, you'll benefit from counseling services, a wellness center, and strong academic programs. And last year, over 85% of students received financial aid to cover the cost of their degree.

Join nearly 9,000 students at Mercer, a private college in Macon, Georgia. Founded in 1833 by Georgia Baptists, Mercer encourages volunteering and service. You can also participate in more than 140 student clubs and organizations to build leadership skills.

In addition to its on-campus undergraduate programs, Mercer also offers degrees designed for working adults and online programs. You can qualify for institutional financial aid by submitting the GA state aid application.

Founded as a women's college in 1889, Agnes Scott offers a small, liberal arts environment. The core curriculum emphasizes global learning, leadership development, and professional success. And you can pursue a dual degree or major in pre-law or pre-medicine to prepare for grad school. 

Agnes Scott boasts small class sizes and a student body of 1,115. Winding walking paths through lofty trees give the Decatur campus a residential feel. Still, you're only six miles from downtown Atlanta and its opportunities.