Best Online Colleges & Universities in Atlanta

Discover the best accredited online colleges in the Atlanta area. Compare schools by programs and services.
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Atlanta is home to over half a million people and multiple nationally-renowned universities and liberal arts colleges. That roster includes the Georgia Institute of Technology, a technology-focused state university, and Emory University, a renowned private research institution that offers more than 275 academic programs in fields like bioethics, business, and global environmental health.

Upon graduation, students can work in the city's top industries, which include advanced manufacturing and financial technology. As the headquarters for the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta also boasts a dynamic healthcare industry.

To help you make the best decision, we ranked the 10 best online colleges in Atlanta based on affordability, programs, and student outcomes. Read on to explore which school is the best fit for you.

What Are the Best Online Colleges in Atlanta? Here Are Our Top 4:

Ranking compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

#1 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
#2 Clayton State University Morrow, GA
#3 Life University Marietta, GA
#4 Reinhardt University Waleska, GA

How We Rank Schools

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At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you will make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering school rankings that are transparent, inclusive, and relevant for online students.

Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our Ranking Methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in Atlanta

Best Online Colleges in Atlanta

  1. Kennesaw State University
    Location

    Kennesaw, GA

    Tuition

    $17618

    Kennesaw State educates about 41,000 students annually and operates as the second-largest university in Georgia. The school offers a variety of online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Online bachelor's programs include disciplines in business administration, political science, and cybersecurity. Master's degree options include early childhood education, art and design, and civil engineering.

    Online students pursuing a doctorate can study instruction technology and teacher leadership. Endorsement and certificate programs also are offered. Students can choose from fully online or hybrid classes.

    Distance learners gain access to support such as licensed counselors and psychological services, academic advising, student disability services, and tutoring resources. Kennesaw State, located in metro Atlanta, accepts student applications on a rolling basis. Online learners pay the same tuition rate, no matter where they live.

  2. Clayton State University
    Location

    Morrow, GA

    Tuition

    $10326

    CSU is a public university located in Morrow, Georgia. The university, based about 10 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta, offers several online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Available bachelor's degrees include elementary education, computer science, and film production. Master's options include liberal studies, nursing, and public administration. Associate, certificate, and minor programs are also available.

    Prospective CSU distance learners can take SmarterMeasure, a survey to determine their readiness for online learning. Online students pay a lower per-credit tuition rate than their on-campus peers.

    CSU provides several resources for online students, including one-on-one tutoring and access to the Writers' Studio — a service that helps students with writing and revising papers. The university educates more than 7,000 students annually and maintains a 22-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

  3. Life University
    Location

    Marietta, GA

    LIFE — a private school in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, Georgia — is the nation's biggest, single-campus chiropractic university. Although best known for its doctor of chiropractic degree, LIFE also offers several online programs.

    These include an associate of science in health and wellness, a bachelor's in biology, and a bachelor's in psychology. LIFE is also one of only a few schools that offers a master's in positive psychology, which can be completed by online learners. The school serves over 2,800 students annually and offers small class sizes.

  4. Reinhardt University
    Location

    Waleska, GA

    Founded in 1883, Reinhardt is located less than an hour outside of Atlanta. The private university, known for educating veterans and active-duty service members, offers several adult and online programs. These programs offer flexibility by delivering coursework asynchronously.

    Reinhardt's online students can earn associate and bachelor's degrees in business administration or criminal justice. A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration is also an online option. Incoming students may receive transfer credit for college courses and military or professional training.

    Distance learners can access 24/7 technology support, free on-demand tutoring, learning resources, and a writing lab.

Top Degree Programs in Atlanta

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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