Best Research Universities in Georgia 2023

Best Research Universities in Georgia 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Interested in attending a STEM school in Georgia? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Key Takeaways

  • We’ve identified nine of the best research universities in the state of Georgia that invest heavily in research and provide extensive opportunities for students to participate in research.
  • Attending a research university in Georgia is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees.

10 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2022

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  1. University of Georgia
    2. 63%
  2. Emory University
    3. 63%
  3. Georgia Tech
    4. 59%
  4. Georgia State University
    5. 47%
  5. Mercer University
    6. 45%
  6. Clark Atlanta University
    7. 44%
  7. Georgia Southern University
    8. 34%
  8. University of West Georgia
    9. 32%
  9. Valdosta State University
    10. 30%
  1. Georgia State University
    2. 100%
  2. Georgia Southern University
    3. 91%
  3. Valdosta State University
    4. 76%
  4. Mercer University
    5. 75%
  5. University of West Georgia
    6. 70%
  6. Clark Atlanta University
    7. 58%
  7. University of Georgia
    8. 40%
  8. Georgia Tech
    9. 16%
  9. Emory University
    10. 13%
  1. Georgia State University
    2. 27 to 1
  2. Georgia Southern University
    3. 22 to 1
  3. Valdosta State University
    4. 20 to 1
  4. Georgia Tech
    5. 19 to 1
  5. Clark Atlanta University
    6. 19 to 1
  6. University of West Georgia
    7. 19 to 1
  7. University of Georgia
    8. 17 to 1
  8. Mercer University
    9. 14 to 1
  9. Emory University
    10. 9 to 1
  1. Emory University
    2. $55,468
  2. Mercer University
    3. $38,746
  3. Clark Atlanta University
    4. $24,012
  4. Georgia Tech
    5. $10,258
  5. University of Georgia
    6. $9,790
  6. Georgia State University
    7. $7,158
  7. Valdosta State University
    8. $4,371
  8. University of West Georgia
    9. $4,371
  9. Georgia Southern University
    10. $4,371
  1. Emory University
    2. $44,800
  2. Clark Atlanta University
    3. $16,614
  3. Mercer University
    4. $15,244
  4. Georgia Tech
    5. $14,570
  5. University of Georgia
    6. $8,878
  6. Georgia State University
    7. $7,164
  7. Georgia Southern University
    8. $4,986
  8. Valdosta State University
    9. $4,572
  9. University of West Georgia
    10. $4,338
  1. Valdosta State University
    2. 30%
  2. University of West Georgia
    3. 32%
  3. Georgia Southern University
    4. 34%
  4. Clark Atlanta University
    5. 44%
  5. Mercer University
    6. 45%
  6. Georgia State University
    7. 47%
  7. Georgia Tech
    8. 59%
  8. Emory University
    9. 63%
  9. University of Georgia
    10. 63%
  1. Emory University
    2. 13%
  2. Georgia Tech
    3. 16%
  3. University of Georgia
    4. 40%
  4. Clark Atlanta University
    5. 58%
  5. University of West Georgia
    6. 70%
  6. Mercer University
    7. 75%
  7. Valdosta State University
    8. 76%
  8. Georgia Southern University
    9. 91%
  9. Georgia State University
    10. 100%
  1. Emory University
    2. 9 to 1
  2. Mercer University
    3. 14 to 1
  3. University of Georgia
    4. 17 to 1
  4. Georgia Tech
    5. 19 to 1
  5. Clark Atlanta University
    6. 19 to 1
  6. University of West Georgia
    7. 19 to 1
  7. Valdosta State University
    8. 20 to 1
  8. Georgia Southern University
    9. 22 to 1
  9. Georgia State University
    10. 27 to 1
  1. Valdosta State University
    2. $4,371
  2. University of West Georgia
    3. $4,371
  3. Georgia Southern University
    4. $4,371
  4. Georgia State University
    5. $7,158
  5. University of Georgia
    6. $9,790
  6. Georgia Tech
    7. $10,258
  7. Clark Atlanta University
    8. $24,012
  8. Mercer University
    9. $38,746
  9. Emory University
    10. $55,468
  1. University of West Georgia
    2. $4,338
  2. Valdosta State University
    3. $4,572
  3. Georgia Southern University
    4. $4,986
  4. Georgia State University
    5. $7,164
  5. University of Georgia
    6. $8,878
  6. Georgia Tech
    7. $14,570
  7. Mercer University
    8. $15,244
  8. Clark Atlanta University
    9. $16,614
  9. Emory University
    10. $44,800

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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Why should you attend a research university in Georgia?

For those students drawn to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, a research university may offer the most learning opportunities. In fact, there a number of great reasons why attending a research university in Georgia can be the right choice.

More Choices for Majors

Research universities have a larger faculty than other colleges. This means that there are a wider range of disciplines offered, which gives students more choices of majors.

Those who attend research schools find unique academic program offerings and may even be able to fine-tune their preferred majors because of the large selection of courses and concentrations. Large research universities may even be able to accommodate double majors for those students who are inclined to move in this direction.

More Professional Connections

With a larger faculty comes the opportunity for more connections. Faculty in research universities are often industry experts, and as such, are heavily involved in networking at events like conferences. It’s not unusual for researchers to take their students with them to conferences. This is obviously a prime method of establishing yourself in your field and launching your career well.

Research universities have to live up to their role as producers of the latest innovations and technologies, which is why these schools always have widespread prestige. Major industry players even partner with research universities to help them with their academic missions.

You have an advantage in admission to professional and graduate schools. Many professional and graduate schools have this belief that students coming from research universities are better trained than those coming from smaller schools. Graduate schools put more faith in letters of recommendation coming from well-known professors at research universities.

Internships

When attending the best research universities in Georgia, students are likely to secure internships and work with industry leading experts. Through internships and collaborative projects, students not only have the chance to become researchers, but may even have the opportunity to co-author a paper or co-present at a conference. These experiences are a major feather in a student’s cap, and can give a real boost to a burgeoning career.

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Best Research Universities in Georgia 2023

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 9 research universities in Georgia. To be included in our ranking, colleges in Georgia must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

  5. #5

    Mercer University

    Macon , GA
    #4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2023 #5 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023 #7 Best Colleges in Georgia 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/28

    What 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: 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
  7. #6

    Georgia Southern University

    Statesboro , GA
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2023 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #6 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1081/21

    What is Georgia Southern University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    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
  9. #8

    Valdosta State University

    Valdosta , GA
    #5 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2023 #8 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023 #10 Best Colleges in Georgia 2023

    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
  10. #9

    University of West Georgia

    Carrollton , GA
    #6 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2023 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2023 #9 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2023

    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
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Find the Best Research Universities in Georgia for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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. Mercer University
  4. University of Georgia
  5. Georgia State University
  6. Clark Atlanta University
  7. Valdosta State University
  8. Georgia Southern University
  9. University of West Georgia

Now that you know more about the best colleges in Georgia, check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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