Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024

Badge for BEST IN GEORGIA GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Georgia offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Georgia

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  1. Georgia Tech
  2. Emory University
  3. University of Georgia
  4. Georgia State University
  5. Mercer University
  6. Georgia Southern University
  7. Clark Atlanta University
  8. Valdosta State University
  9. University of West Georgia
  10. Columbus State University
  1. Emory University
  2. University of Georgia
  3. Georgia Tech
  4. Georgia State University
  5. Clark Atlanta University
  6. Mercer University
  7. Georgia Southern University
  8. University of West Georgia
  9. Valdosta State University
  10. Georgia College & State University
  1. Georgia State University 100%
  2. Georgia Southern University 91%
  3. Georgia College & State University 88%
  4. Columbus State University 79%
  5. Valdosta State University 76%
  6. Mercer University 75%
  7. University of West Georgia 70%
  8. Piedmont University 67%
  9. Clark Atlanta University 58%
  10. University of Georgia 40%
  1. Georgia State University 27 to 1
  2. Georgia Southern University 22 to 1
  3. Valdosta State University 20 to 1
  4. Georgia Tech 19 to 1
  5. Clark Atlanta University 19 to 1
  6. University of West Georgia 19 to 1
  7. University of Georgia 17 to 1
  8. Columbus State University 17 to 1
  9. Georgia College & State University 16 to 1
  10. Mercer University 14 to 1
  1. Emory University $55,468
  2. Mercer University $38,746
  3. Piedmont University $28,340
  4. Clark Atlanta University $24,012
  5. Georgia Tech $10,258
  6. University of Georgia $9,790
  7. Georgia College & State University $7,508
  8. Georgia State University $7,158
  9. Valdosta State University $4,371
  10. Columbus State University $4,371
  1. Emory University $44,800
  2. Clark Atlanta University $16,614
  3. Mercer University $15,244
  4. Georgia Tech $14,570
  5. Piedmont University $10,800
  6. University of Georgia $8,878
  7. Georgia State University $7,164
  8. Columbus State University $6,300
  9. Georgia College & State University $5,292
  10. Georgia Southern University $4,986
  1. Piedmont University
  2. Georgia College & State University
  3. Columbus State University
  4. University of West Georgia
  5. Valdosta State University
  6. Clark Atlanta University
  7. Georgia Southern University
  8. Mercer University
  9. Georgia State University
  10. University of Georgia
  1. Piedmont University
  2. Columbus State University
  3. Georgia College & State University
  4. Valdosta State University
  5. University of West Georgia
  6. Georgia Southern University
  7. Mercer University
  8. Clark Atlanta University
  9. Georgia State University
  10. Georgia Tech
  1. Emory University 13%
  2. Georgia Tech 16%
  3. University of Georgia 40%
  4. Clark Atlanta University 58%
  5. Piedmont University 67%
  6. University of West Georgia 70%
  7. Mercer University 75%
  8. Valdosta State University 76%
  9. Columbus State University 79%
  10. Georgia College & State University 88%
  1. Emory University 9 to 1
  2. Piedmont University 10 to 1
  3. Mercer University 14 to 1
  4. Georgia College & State University 16 to 1
  5. University of Georgia 17 to 1
  6. Columbus State University 17 to 1
  7. Georgia Tech 19 to 1
  8. Clark Atlanta University 19 to 1
  9. University of West Georgia 19 to 1
  10. Valdosta State University 20 to 1
  1. Valdosta State University $4,371
  2. Columbus State University $4,371
  3. University of West Georgia $4,371
  4. Georgia Southern University $4,371
  5. Georgia State University $7,158
  6. Georgia College & State University $7,508
  7. University of Georgia $9,790
  8. Georgia Tech $10,258
  9. Clark Atlanta University $24,012
  10. Piedmont University $28,340
  1. University of West Georgia $4,338
  2. Valdosta State University $4,572
  3. Georgia Southern University $4,986
  4. Georgia College & State University $5,292
  5. Columbus State University $6,300
  6. Georgia State University $7,164
  7. University of Georgia $8,878
  8. Piedmont University $10,800
  9. Georgia Tech $14,570
  10. Mercer University $15,244

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


Georgia's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 12 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Georgia. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Georgia is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023

  1. #1

    Georgia Tech

    Atlanta , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    48K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1450/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgia Tech

    Cost of Degree: $11,764
    Expenses: $16,342
    Starting Salary: $85,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1355/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Georgia

    Cost of Degree: $11,180
    Expenses: $16,362
    Starting Salary: $59,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgia State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,478
    Expenses: $20,479
    Starting Salary: $48,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #5

    Mercer University

    Macon , GA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Mercer University

    Cost of Degree: $30,317
    Expenses: $18,044
    Starting Salary: $58,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1081/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgia Southern University

    Cost of Degree: $5,905
    Expenses: $18,990
    Starting Salary: $46,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Columbus State University

    Cost of Degree: $5,751
    Expenses: $16,940
    Starting Salary: $38,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Columbus State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1172/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgia College & State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,974
    Expenses: $18,948
    Starting Salary: $45,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Georgia College & State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. #12

    Piedmont University

    Demorest , GA

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1070/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Piedmont University

    Cost of Degree: $29,190
    Expenses: $16,490
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Piedmont University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

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Georgia’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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. Georgia Tech
  3. University of Georgia
  4. Georgia State University
  5. Mercer University
  6. Georgia Southern University
  7. University of West Georgia
  8. Piedmont University
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