Best Colleges in Georgia 2023

BEST IN GEORGIA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Here are the best colleges and universities in Georgia. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in Georgia

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  1. Emory University
  2. University of Georgia
  3. Georgia Tech
  4. Morehouse College
  5. Georgia State University
  6. Spelman College
  7. Clark Atlanta University
  8. Mercer University
  9. Agnes Scott College
  10. Georgia Southern University
  1. Georgia State University 100%
  2. Georgia Gwinnett College 93%
  3. Georgia Southern University 91%
  4. Brenau University 89%
  5. Georgia College & State University 88%
  6. Georgia Southwestern State University 86%
  7. Oglethorpe University 81%
  8. Columbus State University 79%
  9. Valdosta State University 76%
  10. Mercer University 75%
  1. Georgia State University 27 to 1
  2. Fort Valley State University 24 to 1
  3. Georgia Southern University 22 to 1
  4. Valdosta State University 20 to 1
  5. Dalton State College 19 to 1
  6. Georgia Tech 19 to 1
  7. Clark Atlanta University 19 to 1
  8. University of West Georgia 19 to 1
  9. Albany State University 19 to 1
  10. Savannah State University 18 to 1
  1. Emory University $55,468
  2. Agnes Scott College $44,250
  3. Oglethorpe University $42,754
  4. Mercer University $38,746
  5. Berry College $38,656
  6. Brenau University $32,530
  7. Young Harris College $29,962
  8. Morehouse College $29,468
  9. Spelman College $28,181
  10. Wesleyan College $26,390
  1. Emory University $44,800
  2. Agnes Scott College $17,100
  3. Clark Atlanta University $16,614
  4. Mercer University $15,244
  5. Georgia Tech $14,570
  6. Brenau University $13,590
  7. Berry College $12,420
  8. Wesleyan College $11,531
  9. Young Harris College $9,000
  10. University of Georgia $8,878
  1. Georgia Gwinnett College
  2. Dalton State College
  3. Columbus State University
  4. Young Harris College
  5. Brenau University
  6. Georgia Southwestern State University
  7. Georgia College & State University
  8. Albany State University
  9. Fort Valley State University
  10. Berry College
  1. Emory University 13%
  2. Georgia Tech 16%
  3. University of Georgia 40%
  4. Savannah State University 46%
  5. Spelman College 51%
  6. Clark Atlanta University 58%
  7. Wesleyan College 62%
  8. Morehouse College 65%
  9. Agnes Scott College 70%
  10. Berry College 70%
  1. Wesleyan College 8 to 1
  2. Emory University 9 to 1
  3. Young Harris College 11 to 1
  4. Agnes Scott College 11 to 1
  5. Brenau University 11 to 1
  6. Spelman College 11 to 1
  7. Berry College 12 to 1
  8. Mercer University 14 to 1
  9. Morehouse College 15 to 1
  10. Georgia College & State University 16 to 1
  1. Dalton State College $2,563
  2. Georgia Gwinnett College $3,214
  3. Georgia Southwestern State University $4,064
  4. Savannah State University $4,064
  5. Fort Valley State University $4,064
  6. Albany State University $4,064
  7. Valdosta State University $4,371
  8. Columbus State University $4,371
  9. University of West Georgia $4,371
  10. Georgia Southern University $4,371
  1. Albany State University $3,438
  2. Georgia Southwestern State University $3,492
  3. Savannah State University $3,588
  4. University of West Georgia $4,338
  5. Fort Valley State University $4,344
  6. Valdosta State University $4,572
  7. Georgia Southern University $4,986
  8. Georgia College & State University $5,292
  9. Columbus State University $6,300
  10. Georgia State University $7,164

Colleges and Universities in Georgia

The state of Georgia is home to 70 colleges and universities. 38 of these schools are public institutions, each offering a wide variety of traditional and online courses as well as a full range of graduate programs for both on-campus and online students.

The University of Georgia, located in the city of Athens, is the largest college in Georgia, with over 35,000 students. Those attending Georgia State University and Georgia Southern University will enter into a friendly athletics rivalry. Tuition at Georgia State costs $9,000, and at Georgia Southern, $6,000.

Both the University of Georgia and Georgia State University are among the 36 colleges in Georgia offering online degree programs.

In addition, there are numerous fully online colleges in Georgia with accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Of the 20 religiously affiliated colleges and schools in Georgia, Emory University has both the highest tuition at just over $50,000 per year, and the largest private school student population, with over 13,000 in attendance.

Georgia is also home to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture, advertising, art history, and more.

Prospective students looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can choose from an extremely broad range of in-class and online programs.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Both traditional and online students in Georgia can earn degrees in religious studies, business, social work, law, and computer science. Those looking to attend technical colleges can also choose from a handful of brick-and-mortar and online colleges that offer two-year degrees in medicine, nursing, and education.

Part of the University System of Georgia, Atlanta Metropolitan State college is the state’s most affordable college at $3,000. Students at Atlanta Metropolitan can major in fields like mathematics, criminal justice, and philosophy. Most degree programs are available through in-person or online programs.

Georgia is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and the Okefenokee Swamp, which is the largest such water-mass in North America. This diverse landscape in The Peach State provides Georgia’s college and graduate students with a beautiful backdrop for an education. It’s also worth noting that Georgia residents who enroll in fully online programs at public universities or community colleges in Georgia will still receive in-state tuition discounts.

Georgia also offers a loan repayment-based financial aid program for qualifying graduates in the medical field through the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. Check out the best traditional and online degree programs and top career paths this southern state has to offer.


What are Georgia’s Colleges & Universities?

Georgia’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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We’ve identified 46 colleges and universities in Georgia that meet our criteria. This list of the top 30 colleges in Georgia below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Georgia.

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Best Colleges and Universities in Georgia 2022

  1. #1

    Georgia Tech

    Atlanta , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1450/33

  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1355/31

    University of Georgia’s Online Degrees

    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #7

    Mercer University

    Macon , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/28

    Mercer University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • General Business
    • Human Resources
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Services
    • Information Technology & Informatics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Software Application Development & Human Computer Interaction
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Services
    Degree Concentrations
    • Homeland Security & Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice Leadership
    • Family Services - Human Services
    • Gerontology Services - Human Services
    • Social Services - Human Services
    • Substance Abuse Services - Human Services
    • Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • Communication
    • Organizational Communication - Communication
    • Public Relations - Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1081/21

    Georgia Southern University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice - Criminology
    • Criminal Justice - Cybercrime
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Arts
    Degree Concentrations
    • Modern Languages
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in General
    Degree Concentrations
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    What is Valdosta State University known for?

    Valdosta State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Valdosta State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Office Administration & Technology
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSEd in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Workforce Education & Development
    • Required Credits: 126
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #12

    Wesleyan College

    Macon , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1029/22

    What is Wesleyan College known for?

    Wesleyan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Wesleyan College’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 114
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Applied Psychology
    • Required Credits: 159
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #14

    University of West Georgia

    Carrollton , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    995/19

    What is University of West Georgia known for?

    University of West Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of West Georgia’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminology
    • Social & Behavioral Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSNC in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    912/17

    What is Savannah State University known for?

    Savannah State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Savannah State University’s Online Degrees

    BFA in Arts
    Degree Concentrations
    • Visual & Performing Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Business Management
    • Marketing
    • Computer Information Systems
    • Global Logistics & International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Civil Engineering Technology
    • Computer Science Technology
    • Electronics Engineering Technology
    • Mechanical Engineering Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Emergency Services
    Degree Concentrations
    • Homeland Security & Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Political Science
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BSED in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Secondary Education
    • Engineering Technology Education
    • Middle Grades Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BIDS in General
    Degree Concentrations
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • Africana Studies
    • English Language & Literature
    • History
    • Mass Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BSBA in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • Behavior Analysis
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BSW in Humanities
    Degree Concentrations
    • Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  9. #16

    Berry College

    Mount Berry , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    2K

    What is Berry College known for?

    Berry College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    820/16

    Albany State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management Information Systems And Technology
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #18

    Fort Valley State University

    Fort Valley , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Fort Valley State University known for?

    Fort Valley State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Fort Valley State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #19

    Dalton State College

    Dalton , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    4K

    What is Dalton State College known for?

    Dalton State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Dalton State College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120-122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/20

    What is Columbus State University known for?

    Columbus State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Columbus State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business, General
    Degree Concentrations
    • International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology (Bsit)
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sociology
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Sociology
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. #21

    Georgia Gwinnett College

    Lawrenceville , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    10K

    What is Georgia Gwinnett College known for?

    Georgia Gwinnett College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. #22

    Young Harris College

    Young Harris , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/21

    What is Young Harris College known for?

    Young Harris College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. #23

    Brenau University

    Gainesville , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/20

    What is Brenau University known for?

    Brenau University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Brenau University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication And Media Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1025/20

    What is Georgia Southwestern State University known for?

    Georgia Southwestern State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Georgia Southwestern State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Human Resources
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Georgia’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Emory University
  2. Morehouse College
  3. Spelman College
  4. Georgia Tech
  5. Mercer University
  6. University of Georgia
  7. Agnes Scott College
  8. Georgia State University
  9. Wesleyan College
  10. Berry College
  11. Georgia College & State University
  12. Covenant College
  13. Andrew College
  14. Gordon State College