Georgia’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
What are the best colleges and universities in Georgia if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.
Colleges and universities in Georgia deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.
Georgia’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.
Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.
How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Georgia’s Colleges and Universities
As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Georgia’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.
- Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
- Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
- We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
- Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.
Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.
Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families
The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:
- A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
- Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
- Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
- The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
- Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
Georgia’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
- #3 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #3 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
77%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1240/27
Career Outlook for degree at Agnes Scott College
Cost of Degree: $45,786Expenses: $16,662Starting Salary: $46,300Cost Recoup Time: 19 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
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Communications
- Medical
- Political Science
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
57%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/25
Career Outlook for degree at Oglethorpe University
Cost of Degree: $43,990Expenses: $18,350Starting Salary: $49,400Cost Recoup Time: 18 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
- #2 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #24 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
59%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Morehouse College
Cost of Degree: $29,468Expenses: $20,568Starting Salary: $49,000Cost Recoup Time: 16 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 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
28%
Graduation
74%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Spelman College
Cost of Degree: $28,885Expenses: $20,681Starting Salary: $50,700Cost Recoup Time: 16 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
- #16 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
43%
Graduation
46%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
880/17
Career Outlook for degree at Fort Valley State University
Cost of Degree: $5,832Expenses: $14,872Starting Salary: $34,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #7 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
28%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Savannah State University
Cost of Degree: $5,498Expenses: $11,937Starting Salary: $35,000Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Savannah State University known for?
Savannah State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Literature
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Business
- Education
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
- #2 HBCU Doctoral Programs Online #4 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #10 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
46%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/18
Career Outlook for degree at Clark Atlanta University
Cost of Degree: $24,730Expenses: $16,194Starting Salary: $38,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 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
- #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
65%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/25
Career Outlook for degree at Berry College
Cost of Degree: $39,376Expenses: $17,114Starting Salary: $43,900Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Berry College known for?
Berry College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #24 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Georgia 2024
- #2 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #2 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #4 Best Online Associate in General Science
- #5 HBCU MBA Programs Online
- #5 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
- #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
- #8 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
- #9 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #10 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #11 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
28%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Albany State University
Cost of Degree: $5,484Expenses: $14,872Starting Salary: $34,600Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Albany State University known for?
Albany State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Political Science
- History
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Sociology
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
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
- #4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024 #5 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024 #7 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
- #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #7 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
- #8 Best Online Master's in Theology
- #8 Best RN to BSN Online
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
- #10 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics
- #11 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
- #12 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
- #17 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #24 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
74%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/28
Career Outlook for degree at Mercer University
Cost of Degree: $30,317Expenses: $18,044Starting Salary: $58,200Cost 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: 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
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #8 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
- #6 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #8 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #8 Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Ranked for Students in 2024
- #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #11 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
40%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1040/19
Career Outlook for degree at Valdosta State University
Cost of Degree: $6,007Expenses: $15,824Starting Salary: $41,600Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Valdosta State University known for?
Valdosta State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Chemistry
- Business
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 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #11 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #13 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #24 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #16 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
- #19 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
- #20 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
- #20 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
- #22 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #4 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
- #7 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2024
- #18 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
17%
Graduation
93%
Student body
52K
Median SAT/ACT
1460/33
Career Outlook for degree at Georgia Tech
Cost of Degree: $11,764Expenses: $16,342Starting Salary: $85,900Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Georgia Tech known for?
Georgia Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #9 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #9 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #5 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #5 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
- #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
- #7 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #10 Most Affordable Online Master's of Music Education Programs
- #13 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
- #20 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
- #20 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
43%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/19
Career Outlook for degree at University of West Georgia
Cost of Degree: $5,941Expenses: $20,182Starting Salary: $41,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #4 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #2 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
- #9 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
- #12 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
- #21 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
- #22 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
- #22 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees
- #25 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
90%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1490/33
Career Outlook for degree at Emory University
Cost of Degree: $57,948Expenses: $20,866Starting Salary: $84,400Cost 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
- #4 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #14 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
55%
Student body
43K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/22
Career Outlook for degree at Georgia State University
Cost of Degree: $8,478Expenses: $20,479Starting Salary: $48,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Georgia State University known for?
Georgia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Business
- Economics
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Chemistry
- History
- Philosophy
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #14 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024
- #3 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #3 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
- #6 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
- #7 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #19 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
- #22 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2024
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Education
- #2 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #3 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
- #4 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
- #5 Best Online Master’s in Communications
- #5 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
- #5 Top 6 Best Online Clinical Nutrition PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #14 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #18 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #22 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
43%
Graduation
88%
Student body
44K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
Career Outlook for degree at University of Georgia
Cost of Degree: $11,180Expenses: $16,362Starting Salary: $59,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Georgia known for?
University of Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Georgia’s Online Degrees
BS in Education
Degree Concentrations
- Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024 #6 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Research Universities in Georgia 2024
- #8 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #20 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Georgia
- #4 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
- #9 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #9 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
- #10 Best Online Master's in Kinesiology Degree Programs
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
- #16 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
- #17 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #19 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
- #24 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
53%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/20
Career Outlook for degree at Georgia Southern University
Cost of Degree: $5,905Expenses: $18,990Starting Salary: $46,100Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Georgia #24 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024 #25 Best Online Master's in Theology
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
46%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/20
Career Outlook for degree at Truett McConnell University
Cost of Degree: $24,440Expenses: $13,956Starting Salary: $37,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 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: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Science
Degree Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology - General Psychology
- Required Credits: 124
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Theology
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Studies - Biblical & Theological Studies
- Christian Studies - Student Ministry
- Required Credits: 125
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Georgia 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Georgia 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Georgia 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
46%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Wesleyan College
Cost of Degree: $27,650Starting Salary: $37,600What 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: 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
Tuition + fees
$3K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
23%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1020/18
Career Outlook for degree at College of Coastal Georgia
Cost of Degree: $3,483Expenses: $18,800Starting Salary: $32,800Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is College of Coastal Georgia known for?
College of Coastal Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
College of Coastal Georgia’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration For Adult Learners
Degree Concentrations
- General Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Workforce Management And Leadership
Degree Concentrations
- Technical & Industrial
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Management
Degree Concentrations
- Nonprofit Management And Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Georgia’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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?
- 9 Research Universities
- 37 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 31 Graduate Schools
- 22 Public Colleges & Universities
- 24 Private Colleges & Universities
- 17 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 32 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 26 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 18 Community Colleges
- 36 Online Colleges