Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
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Editor & Writer
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Editor & Writer
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Home of the nation's first state-funded merit scholarship, Georgia features 148 colleges awarding 150,000 degrees per year. The best colleges in Georgia offer majors aligning with the state's top industries, including aerospace, cybersecurity, and digital media and entertainment.
Online colleges in Georgia can prepare you to join this dynamic workforce from the comfort of your home, even if you live out of state. Your program may require some on-campus or other in-person requirements.
Featured Online Programs
Best Online Colleges in Georgia of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
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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Mercer University
Macon, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $6,300
Out-of-State | $6,300
Credits to Graduate: 120 for undergraduate programs
Mercer's online programs include bachelor's degrees in accounting, criminal justice, and human resource management. Master's degree-seekers in the applied data intelligence program can concentrate in one of four areas, including data science and machine learning. Mercer's online undergraduate and graduate certificates can also help you advance your career.
First-year applicants must submit a high school or GED diploma. Mercer uses a 2.25 GPA cutoff for transfer credit. You can lower your cost of attendance through federal grants and loans.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Semester
In-State | $1,425-$4,776
Out-of-State | $1,425-$4,776
Credits to Graduate: 60-120 for undergraduate programs
When you join Georgia State Online, you can pursue online degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels. Undergraduate majors include criminal justice, early childhood education, and homeland security and emergency management. Whether you study online or in person, you'll experience a diverse student population. Students at Georgia State are 43% black, 18% Asian, 15% Hispanic, and 18% white.
Founded in 1913, this public four-year college offers a campus in downtown Atlanta and five satellite locations. With 12 colleges and schools, this Carnegie R1 institute earned $224.72 million in grants in 2023.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Year:
In-State | $40,095
Out-of-State | $40,095
Credits to Graduate: 180
Choose a SCAD online degree if you want an asynchronous education taught by experts in the art and design fields. Fully online bachelor's degrees include advertising, graphic design, and photography. Master's degree-seekers can major in motion media design, service design, or writing.
You must pay a fee and create a MyAdmission profile to apply. Other application requirements vary by program. Although SCAD academic and achievement scholarships do not require a separate application, you must submit the FAFSA to apply for institutional grants.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges. For this list, we only considered colleges that offer a minimum of 10 online bachelor's and master's programs combined.
How Much Does Online College in Georgia Cost?
Attending a public online college in Georgia can save you thousands of dollars on your education if you hold residency. Out-of-state degree-seekers pay over three times as much in tuition and fees at public schools. However, typical students at Georgia private colleges and universities spend considerably more.
Applying to online colleges in Georgia can help you save money in more ways than affordable tuition and fees. Other financial benefits may include reduced commuting and housing costs compared to on-campus learners.
| Institution Type | Avg. Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $7,632 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $23,345 |
| Private Four-Year | $31,335 |
5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Georgia
A May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights many well-paying careers for Georgia professionals with only a bachelor's degree. These jobs require you to manage others' work or take responsibility for people's safety.
You can increase your salary potential in many ways, such as earning an advanced degree or working in the same position for many years. Speak with your employer's human resources department to learn more about advancing your career.
The following data are based on the annual mean salary from May 2023.
- Chief Executive: $273,730
- Air Traffic Controller: $149,600
- Compensation and Benefits Manager: $154,560
- Public Relations Manager: $152,160
- Advertising and Promotions Manager: $158,550
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Georgia
Is it worth it to attend online college in Georgia?
The answer depends on your learning style, professional and academic goals, and budget. Online colleges in Georgia can feature many advantages, such as asynchronous instruction. However, you may prefer the one-on-one engagement a traditional classroom environment provides.
Research program websites and graduate testimonials to learn which online colleges in Georgia offer what you need for academic and career success.
What is the cheapest online college in Georgia?
With an average $5,532 annual net price, Dalton State College ranks as the cheapest online college in Georgia. This figure includes all education-related expenses. Your cost of attendance (COA) may vary, depending on your living and commuting situations.
You can further reduce your COA with federal financial aid programs. Your college's financial aid office can help you fill out the FAFSA and apply.
What is the easiest online college to attend in Georgia?
Savannah State University, Dalton State College, Albany State University, and Middle Georgia State University use open enrollment. This policy translates to a 100% acceptance rate. You can rest assured, as these institutions hold proper accreditation and offer a rigorous educational experience.
Open enrollment can help you enroll in college if you hold only a GED diploma or did poorly in high school.
