Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2026
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Georgia.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia’s best private colleges offer a range of specialized programs, from liberal arts to health sciences, with strong research support that encourages student involvement in innovative projects.
- Many of the institutions in our ranking emphasize cultural awareness, leadership, and service, providing students with opportunities to connect with diverse communities and develop meaningful career and social skills.
- With smaller class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios, the best private colleges in Georgia foster close interactions with professors, creating a nurturing atmosphere for academic and personal growth.
10 Best Private Colleges in Georgia in 2026
This list focuses exclusively on private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Georgia that award bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 24 private universities that meet our inclusion criteria: full accreditation, private nonprofit status, and a broad undergraduate curriculum. Schools are presented to help you compare options rather than to substitute for personal campus visits or program-specific research.
Use the list to narrow choices by factors that most affect outcomes—academic breadth, program strength, campus size, and fit for your intended major—while keeping in mind cost, financial aid availability, and geographic preference. This overview highlights where each institution stands within those practical decision-making dimensions so you can move quickly to the schools that deserve a deeper look.
Best Private Colleges in Georgia
- #4 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2026 #25 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2026 #1 Best Colleges in Georgia 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$68K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
91%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1510/33
Career Outlook for degree at Emory University
Cost of Degree: $60,774Expenses: $22,848Starting Salary: $93,897Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Emory University known for?
Emory University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2026 #1 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2026 #4 Best Colleges in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
44%
Graduation
57%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Morehouse College
Cost of Degree: $31,725Expenses: $19,898Starting Salary: $62,169Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Morehouse College known for?
Morehouse College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Education
- Sociology
- History
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2026 #2 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2026 #5 Best Colleges in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
25%
Graduation
77%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1214/25
Career Outlook for degree at Spelman College
Cost of Degree: $30,058Expenses: $21,308Starting Salary: $65,773Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Spelman College known for?
Spelman College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Education
- Literature
- History
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Psychology
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2026 #2 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #10 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
39%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Clark Atlanta University
Cost of Degree: $26,446Expenses: $17,230Starting Salary: $46,867Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Clark Atlanta University known for?
Clark Atlanta University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Education
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- History
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2026 #6 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2026 #8 Best Colleges in Georgia 2026 #1 Best Online Master's in Theology 2026
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
72%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/28
Career Outlook for degree at Mercer University
Cost of Degree: $33,380Expenses: $18,592Starting Salary: $63,469Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mercer University known for?
Mercer University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Mercer University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- General Business
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Human Services
- Information Technology & Informatics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Software Application Development & Human Computer Interaction
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Emergency Services
Degree Concentrations
- Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully 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: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Humanities
Degree Concentrations
- Communication
- Organizational Communication - Communication
- Public Relations - Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 32
- Completion Time: 18-24 months
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Health Informatics
- Mental Health Services - Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #3 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2026 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #4 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
68%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1245/28
Career Outlook for degree at Agnes Scott College
Cost of Degree: $48,150Expenses: $16,662Starting Salary: $60,457Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Agnes Scott College known for?
Agnes Scott College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Engineering
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Communications
- Medical
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
55%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/26
Career Outlook for degree at Oglethorpe University
Cost of Degree: $45,806Expenses: $19,250Starting Salary: $60,002Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Oglethorpe University known for?
Oglethorpe University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2026 #6 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2026 #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
59%
Graduation
43%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1042/22
Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan College
Cost of Degree: $27,650Starting Salary: $44,623What is Wesleyan College known for?
Wesleyan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- Literature
- History
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Education
- Biology
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Wesleyan College’s Online Degrees
BA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Required Credits: 114
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Required Credits: 120 30
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Applied Psychology
- Required Credits: 159
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
71%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1227/25
Career Outlook for degree at Berry College
Cost of Degree: $40,416Expenses: $17,454Starting Salary: $57,984Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Berry College known for?
Berry College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- History
- Education
- Literature
- Sociology
- Business
- Communications
- Nursing
- Biology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Online Associate in Education #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2026 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia #14 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
34%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/20
Career Outlook for degree at Brenau University
Cost of Degree: $33,275Expenses: $16,740Starting Salary: $54,638Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- Format: Fully online
BBA in Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BBA in Finance
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BBA in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BBA in Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Communication And Media Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
38%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Young Harris College
Cost of Degree: $32,305Expenses: $17,193Starting Salary: $50,776Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Young Harris College known for?
Young Harris College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Literature
- History
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Education
- Biology
- Business
- Economics
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026 #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2026 #18 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
6%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Paine College
Cost of Degree: $14,596Expenses: $13,036Starting Salary: $37,183Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Paine College known for?
Paine College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Paine College’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Management
- Accounting
- International Business
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminology
- General Sociology
- Social Psychology
- Psychology - Counseling
- General Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Religion
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
69%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/26
Career Outlook for degree at Covenant College
Cost of Degree: $40,464Expenses: $17,548Starting Salary: $53,280Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Covenant College known for?
Covenant College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #19 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2026 #20 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2026 #24 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2026
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
35%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at LaGrange College
Cost of Degree: $34,540Expenses: $16,949Starting Salary: $60,301Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is LaGrange College known for?
LaGrange College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Education
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Biology
- Literature
- History
Most Influential Alumni
LaGrange College’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Marketing & Entrepreneurship
- Sports Management
- Professional Selling
- Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Nursing
- Required Credits: 121
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #9 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2026 #8 Best Online Associate in Human Services #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
45%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/21
Career Outlook for degree at Shorter University
Cost of Degree: $24,044Expenses: $13,144Starting Salary: $51,757Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Shorter University known for?
Shorter University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- History
- Mathematics
- Sociology
- Education
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Shorter University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Sport Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in General
Degree Concentrations
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #10 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2026 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2026 #7 Best Online Certificate in Liberal Arts and Humanities Ranked for Students 2026 #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
43%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/21
Career Outlook for degree at Toccoa Falls College
Cost of Degree: $23,250Expenses: $14,570Starting Salary: $44,698Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Toccoa Falls College known for?
Toccoa Falls College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Toccoa Falls College’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Nonprofit Business Administration
- Organizational Leadership
- Sport Management
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Counseling Psychology
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in General
Degree Concentrations
- General Studies
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Biblical Studies
- Ministry Leadership
- Youth Ministries
- Required Credits: 126
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #10 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2026 #24 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2026 #16 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2026
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
38%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Reinhardt University
Cost of Degree: $28,420Expenses: $20,650Starting Salary: $53,450Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Reinhardt University known for?
Reinhardt University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Reinhardt University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
52%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1141/21
Career Outlook for degree at Piedmont University
Cost of Degree: $30,680Expenses: $17,228Starting Salary: $56,724Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Piedmont University known for?
Piedmont University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Sociology
- Nursing
- Biology
- Communications
- Business
- Medical
- Literature
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Georgia #4 Best Online Associate in Education #6 Best Online Associate in Psychology #6 Best Online Associate in Marketing
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
44%
Graduation
60%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1104/19
Career Outlook for degree at Point University
Cost of Degree: $22,300Expenses: $13,100Starting Salary: $46,450Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Point University known for?
Point University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Point University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Human Relations
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Information Systems Security
- Network Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Education
Degree Concentrations
- Child Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Humanities
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- Social Media Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Ministries
- Youth & Family Ministries
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Healthcare Administration
- Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia #18 Best Online Master's in Theology 2026 #25 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
56%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Truett McConnell University
Cost of Degree: $25,568Expenses: $14,420Starting Salary: $47,390Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Truett McConnell University known for?
Truett McConnell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Truett McConnell University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Business Administration - Financial Accounting
- Business Administration - Healthcare Administration
- Business Administration - Management
- Business Administration - Marketing
- Business Administration - Nonprofit Management
- Business Administration - Sports Management
- Required Credits: 122
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology - General Psychology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Studies - Biblical & Theological Studies
- Christian Studies - Student Ministry
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
- #4 Best Online Associate in Communications #5 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs 2026 #17 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2026
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
43%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Andrew College
Cost of Degree: $19,126Expenses: $18,486Starting Salary: $42,330Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Andrew College known for?
Andrew College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Andrew College’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
38%
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1105/22
Career Outlook for degree at Thomas University
Cost of Degree: $11,640Expenses: $12,340Starting Salary: $59,055Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Thomas University known for?
Thomas University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Thomas University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical
Degree Concentrations
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Rehabilitation Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
23%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Brewton–Parker College
Cost of Degree: $22,080Expenses: $17,337Starting Salary: $45,995Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brewton–Parker College known for?
Brewton–Parker College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Brewton–Parker College’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
BA in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 48 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
41%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Emmanuel University
Cost of Degree: $23,664Starting Salary: $48,171What is Emmanuel University known for?
Emmanuel University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Georgia’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.
