Best Colleges in Georgia

Georgia has many great colleges and universities. Discover the best colleges in Georgia and find the right fit for you.
Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
By
Edited by
Updated October 5, 2023
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From metro Atlanta to coastal Savannah, Georgia has some of the best colleges in the country. You can also find scenic rural colleges and online colleges in the Peach State. But which of Georgia’s 40-plus schools make the top 10 list?

With options for every budget, major, and school size, you can find the right college to reach your goals on our list. Let’s dive in to learn more about the best colleges in Georgia.

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10 Best Colleges in Georgia

Ready to learn more about the best colleges in Georgia? Here’s our list of the ten top-ranking colleges and universities in the state.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

University of Georgia

  • Athens, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

16%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

94%

Retention Rate

$28,830

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
48%
Students Enrolled
39,147
Institution Type
Public
#2

Georgia State University

  • Atlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

92%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,158

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

81%

Retention Rate

$22,389

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
82%
Students Enrolled
36,360
Institution Type
Public
#3

Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Atlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

91%

Online Enrollment

$10,258

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

97%

Retention Rate

$31,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
21%
Students Enrolled
39,771
Institution Type
Public
#4

Kennesaw State University

  • Kennesaw, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

94%

Online Enrollment

$ 4,450

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

80%

Retention Rate

$15,704

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
83%
Students Enrolled
41,181
Institution Type
Public
#5

Savannah College of Art and Design

  • Savannah, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

26%

Online Enrollment

$37,575

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

75%

Retention Rate

$37,575

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
14,265
Institution Type
Private
#6

Clark Atlanta University

  • Atlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

100%

Online Enrollment

$18,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

63%

Retention Rate

$18,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
59%
Students Enrolled
3,776
Institution Type
Private
#7

Emory University

  • Atlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus
  • Accredited

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.

87%

Online Enrollment

$53,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

93%

Retention Rate

$53,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
19%
Students Enrolled
13,997
Institution Type
Private
#8

Spelman College

  • Atlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus
  • Accredited

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.

100%

Online Enrollment

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

89%

Retention Rate

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
53%
Students Enrolled
2,207
Institution Type
Private
#9

Mercer University

  • Macon, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

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.

48%

Online Enrollment

$28,695

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

87%

Retention Rate

$28,695

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
9,006
Institution Type
Private
#10

Agnes Scott College

  • Decatur, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus
  • Accredited

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.

100%

Online Enrollment

$43,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

83%

Retention Rate

$43,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
68%
Students Enrolled
1,080
Institution Type
Private

List of All Colleges in Georgia

We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in Georgia. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Note that schools that do not admit full-time, first-time degree-seeking students and that enroll fewer than 500 undergrads were not considered for this list.

All 45 Colleges in Georgia
SchoolTotal Student EnrollmentAvg. Annual Net PriceAcceptance RateNumber of Applicants
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College3,814$7,26067%2,349
Agnes Scott College1,109$24,30567%1,879
Albany State University6,297$14,672100%N/A
Augusta University8,961$13,57286%5,191
Berry College2,303$25,35966%5,643
Brenau University2,551$23,63587%2,334
Brewton-Parker College893$21,87495%744
Clark Atlanta University4,055$30,01556%16,153
Clayton State University6,817$9,79256%2,255
College of Coastal Georgia3,232$12,11798%2,519
Columbus State University7,898$12,90288%3,870
Covenant College914$25,02884%813
Dalton State College4,525$5,532100%N/A
Emmanuel College918$19,92163%766
Emory University14,779$26,68011%33,179
Fort Valley State University2,923$13,01643%6,247
Georgia College & State University6,763$20,30180%4,414
Georgia Gwinnett College10,949$10,98194%5,626
Georgia Institute of Technology43,859$17,40217%50,610
Georgia Southern University27,076$15,35289%14,680
Georgia Southwestern State University3,157$12,18673%1,939
Georgia State University36,973$17,58967%26,050
Kennesaw State University42,899$18,07968%21,106
LaGrange College643$21,55759%1,414
Life University2,787$28,22698%448
Mercer University9,009$22,08775%7,556
Middle Georgia State University7,843$13,174100%3,440
Morehouse College2,554$35,25160%5,221
Oglethorpe University1,446$20,09471%2,816
Piedmont University2,060$18,79264%2,331
Point University1,666$19,89024%2,355
Reinhardt University1,215$26,84562%1,083
Savannah College of Art and Design15,636$45,97682%14,387
Savannah State University3,385$9,452100%N/A
Shorter University1,460$13,49097%871
Spelman College2,417$37,08528%13,649
Thomas University1,388$16,30846%358
Toccoa Falls College1,764$20,60968%1,066
Truett McConnell University2,710$18,83581%652
University of Georgia40,118$17,18043%39,320
University of North Georgia18,972$11,72170%11,920
University of West Georgia12,687$15,62580%4,783
Valdosta State University11,557$12,83689%4,975
Wesleyan College734$13,90067%1,298
Young Harris College1,407$18,91077%1,990
Source: NCES

What Is the Cost of College in Georgia?

Georgia colleges are more affordable than the national average. At a public four-year university, you can expect to pay around $7,500 in tuition and fees as a Georgia resident. Private colleges cost around $30,400 regardless of your state residency.

You can save money as a Georgia college student by attending community college for your first two years and then transferring to a four-year institution. Georgia residents pay around $3,150 in tuition for public community colleges.

Alternatively, you might consider attending an online college in Georgia to lower your transportation costs.

Cost of College in Georgia 2021
Institution TypeAverage Tuition & Required Fees
Public 4-Year (in-state)$7,525
Public 4-Year (out-of-state)$23,430
Private 4-Year$30,380
Public 2-Year (in-state)$3,169
Public 2-Year (out-of-state)$8,535
Source: NCES

Scholarships for Georgia Students

Did you know that Georgia offers many college scholarships? You can receive free money to attend college in Georgia if you meet the eligibility requirements. Learn more about some of the top scholarships below.

Georgia Hope Scholarship

You can receive a HOPE Scholarship after graduating from a Georgia high school. You’ll need to attend an eligible Georgia college or university. The amount of the award varies depending on your school and the number of hours enrolled.

Zell Miller Scholarship

Georgia residents qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship. You’ll need to meet academic requirements and submit the FAFSA or Georgia Student Finance Application to qualify. The award amount varies depending on your course load and chosen college in Georgia.

REACH Scholarship

Offered by REACH Georgia, the REACH Scholarship supports students from middle school through high school. If REACH Scholars maintain a 2.5 GPA, they can qualify for up to $2,500 per year for up to four years to attend a Georgia college.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Georgia

How many colleges are in Georgia?

Georgia is home to around 50 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges and universities. There are also around 15 for-profit colleges in Georgia, according to NCES.

Some of the best-known colleges in Georgia include the University of Georgia, Emory University, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University. The Peach State also stands out for its HBCUs, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University.

What colleges accept the Georgia Hope scholarship?

Many Georgia colleges accept the HOPE Scholarship, including UGA, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State. Private colleges like Emory, Mercer, Morehouse, and Spelman also accept the HOPE scholarship.

Visit the program page for more information on eligible colleges.

Is Georgia Tech a good school?

Yes, Georgia Tech is a well-known college that specializes in science and technology programs. It’s also one of the largest colleges in Georgia. And since Georgia Tech is a public school, it charges a lower tuition rate than many other schools.

Georgia Tech also reports one of the lowest acceptance rates among Georgia colleges: Only 17% of more than 50,000 applicants were accepted in fall 2022, according to NCES.

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