The US is renowned for having some of the best colleges in the world. That is why international students troop in yearly to study at universities of the U.S. The state of Georgia is no different. It has top schools with seasoned professionals who understand the coursework and teach students theoretical and practical aspects of their programs. Colleges in Georgia provide internship opportunities for students to practice in top industries.
This article provides a comprehensive list of the best colleges in Georgia, the cost of tuition and fees, ranking, history, CollegeSchoolsworkspace, and then courses that they offer.
2024’s Best Colleges in Georgia
- Georgia Institute of Technology (main Campus) – Atlanta, Ga
- University of Georgia – Athens, Ga
- Emory University – Atlanta, Ga
- Kennesaw State University – Kennesaw, Ga
- Clayton State University – Morrow, Ga
- Wesleyan College – Macon, Ga
- Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, Ga
- Columbus State University – Columbus, Ga
- Spelman College – Atlanta, Ga
- Georgia College & State University – Milledgeville, Ga
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885 to instill a strong work ethic into students and bring to life their creative side. It offers online/distance learning and traditional learning, and there are currently 40,000 students enrolled in different departments. Georgia Institute of Technology is ranked among the top 10 public research universities. It ranks 35th in National Universities and 4th in Most Innovative Schools. It is 8th in Top Public Schools and 115th in Best Value Schools. Additionally, it ranks 4th in Best Engineering Programs. It tops the list of best colleges in Atlanta and is the best college in Georgia.
Georgia Institute of Technology has an early acceptance rate of 19.9% and a 21% acceptance rate. Prospective students need to have taken either SAT or ACT enrolled in this school. Georgia Institute of Technology students have an average SAT score of 1,450. Their ACT scores are between 31 to 34. It has a graduation rate of 86%. Prospective students have to pay an application fee of $75.
In-state students pay $12,682 for tuition and fees while out-of-state students pay $33,794.
Georgia Institute of Technology offers both undergraduate and graduate programs with a wide variety of majors and minors for students to pick from. Here are some majors;
- Algorithms, Combinatorics, Optimization
- Architecture
- Bioinformatics
- Building Construction
- City and Regional Planning
- Digital Media
- Engineering Science and Economics
- Global Economics and Modern Languages
- Health Systems
- Human-Computer Interaction
- International Affairs
- Management
- Medical Physics
- Neuroscience
- Nuclear Engineering
- Ocean Science and Engineering
- Quantitative and Computational Finance
- Statistics
- Urban Analytics
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research institution that was founded in 1785. It is among the oldest public colleges in GA and the US. It has 18 schools and colleges that offer online and classroom education. The University of Georgia students have the opportunities to take up internships at top companies to improve their skills in their industry of interest. The University of Georgia and other companies, such as NASA, Deloitte, Chick-Fil-A, and Textron, were the top 2019 employers.
In-state students at the University of Georgia pay $12,080 for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $31,120. Prospective students have to pay an application fee of $70 for US nationals and $85 for international students. The University of Georgia has a 45% acceptance rate and an 84% graduation rate. Enrolled students had an average SAT score of 1043 and an average GPA above 4.0 in 2020.
The University of Georgia courses include but are not limited to the following:
- Agriscience and Environmental Systems
- Biological Sciences
- Hospitality and Food Industry Management
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Civil Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
- Financial Planning
- Health Promotion
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Atmospheric Sciences
- Psychology
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- International Affairs
- Social Work
- Management
- Real Estate
- Fisheries and Wildlife
- Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Emory University
Emory University is a private research institution that was founded in 1836 by the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is committed to enrolling the world’s best students and training them with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to succeed in the workspace after graduation.
It has a 15.6% acceptance rate and a 90% graduation rate. Students enrolled in Emory University have an average GPA of 3.78, and an average SAT score of 1435.
It is the second oldest private higher education institution in Georgia. It ranks 2nd in top colleges in Georgia and 21st in National Universities in the US.
Enrolled students pay $53,868 for tuition and fees per annum. Emory University offers financial aid to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who apply for it.
Emory University has nine schools and colleges that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in different fields. It provides about 274 full-time and part-time courses. Here is a list of some courses:
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Analytic Consulting
- BA/BS and Juris Master
- Baptist Studies
- Classical Civilization
- Development Practice and Ministry
- English and Creative Writing
- Film and Media Management
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology
- Hebrew
- Injury and Violence Prevention
- Islamic Civilizations Study
- Marketing
- Maternal and Child Care
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
- Organization and Management
- Physical Therapy
- Quantitative Studies
- Science, Culture, and Society
- Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State University is a public research institution with over 41,000 students studying different undergraduate and graduate programs. It promotes diversity, has a bubbly campus culture, and the entrepreneurial spirit captures students’ hearts from everywhere in the world.
Kennesaw State University is an R2 doctoral research school that sits comfortably among the 6% of universities in the US that have either an R1 or R2 status. It offers over 90 undergraduate degrees and over 75 graduate degrees in a variety of fields.
In-state students pay $6,456 for tuition and fees while out-of-state students pay $17,710.
Prospective students have to pay a $40 application fee with either a debit or a credit card. Enrolled students have ACT scores between 20 to 26 or SAT scores between 1050 to 1230.
Kennesaw State University has a 75% acceptance rate and a 41% graduation rate. Graduates have median annual earnings of $33,300 2 years after graduation and $41,300 6 years after graduation.
Some majors are:
- Art Education
- Civil Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Construction Management
- Digital Animation
- Elementary Education
- Entrepreneurship (BBA)
- Human Services
- Interactive Design
- International Affairs
- Journalism and Emerging Media
- Marketing
- Public Health Education
- Sociology
- Technical Communication
Clayton State University
Clayton State University is a public, coeducational institution founded in 1969 with over 6000 undergraduate students. It has a 51% acceptance rate and a 49% graduation rate, and it is less than the national average of universities, which is 52.8%. It offers online/distance learning and offline undergraduate, graduate, and specialized programs. Its ethnically diverse culture thrives in a campus on 192 acres of land in Morrow, Georgia.
Clayton State University requires prospective students to pay a $40 application fee.
Students have an average SAT score of 951 with an average GPA of 3.0 on 4.0. Georgia colleges ranked Clayton State University as the 8th best college, and it ranks 36th in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
In-state students pay $6,584 for fees and tuition, while out-of-state students pay $19,986. Clayton State University offers financial aid to 85% of its undergraduate students, and the average amount is $8,005. Graduates from Clayton State University earn an average salary of $60,924 every year.
Some programs include:
- BiologyBusiness Administration
- Clinical/Counseling Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Dental Hygiene
- General Business
- Health Sciences
- History
- Liberal Studies
- Management
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Music Education
- Nursing
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Technology Management
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College was founded in 1836 as the first college to grant degrees to women worldwide. It was initially called the George Female College because it was solely for women. It is a private liberal arts college that ranks 149th in National Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States. Wesleyan College is a good college in Georgia that ranks 4th in the list of diverse colleges in Georgia because of the diversity in cultures, races, and ethnicities.
Wesleyan College students revolve around a broad education that gives them a vast view of the world and helps them understand human behaviour and excel in the work environment. It teaches women their rights and allows them to be assertive and strong-willed. Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills that put them ahead of their competitors.
Wesleyan College has a 44% acceptance rate and a 60% graduation rate of enrolled students. The estimated cost of fees and tuition for the 2021/2022 academic year for undergraduate students is $26,472, while that for graduate students is $23,235.
Wesleyan College offers merit-based scholarships, and they can come from the state, other institutions, or the federal government. Students in the previous incoming class have an average GPA of 3.37, and a median SAT score of 1010.
Students can choose from a wide array of majors and minors that include:
- Applied Mathematical Science
- Business Administration
- Environmental Studies and Sustainability
- Elementary Education
- History, Politics, and Global Affairs
- International Business
- Music
- Neuroscience
- Nursing
- Public Health Psychology
- Spanish
- Women, Gender and Sexuality
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a public, coeducational research university that was founded in 1906. It has three campuses; the Liberty campus in Hinesville, the Armstrong campus in Savannah, and the Statesboro campus, the most popular. It values openness & inclusion, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, sustainability, integrity, and collaboration.
It has over 26000 students studying about 140 programs to become experts in various industries. It is a good college in Georgia that has five impact research areas which are; Holistic wellness, Logistics & Supply Chain Innovation, Empowering Communities, Advanced & Manufacturing, and Coastal Resilience & Sustainability.
The Princeton Reviews Guide to Green Colleges ranks Georgia Southern as one of the top ecologically friendly universities for nine consecutive years. In 2020, it ranked among the top 5 Best value universities in Georgia.
Georgia Southern University has an acceptance rate of 54% and a graduation rate of 46%. The cost of tuition at Georgia Southern University is $4,371 annually, while the total cost of schooling is $23,497.
Here is a list of some of its majors for undergraduate programs:
- Art Education
- Chemistry
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Economics
- Graphic Design
- Health Sciences – Concentration in Health Informatics
- Information Systems – Business Analytics Emphasis
- Information Technology – Online
- Management
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Multimedia Journalism
- Nutrition and Food Science – Emphasis in Community Nutrition
- Physics
- Public Relations
- Respiratory Therapy
- Writing and Linguistics
Columbus State University
Columbus State University is a public coeducation university that was founded in 1958. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs. It has two campuses which are the main campus and the Riverpark campus. It ranks 73rd in Regional Universities South.
Columbus State University offers over 90 programs to over 8300 enrolled students with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. Students learn the importance of team building, effective communication, and leadership skills by participating in 100+ student-run organizations. Additionally, students have internship and mentorship opportunities to prepare them for life after graduation.
In-state students pay $6,241 for tuition and out-of-state students pay $17,295. It has a 79% acceptance rate and a 29% graduation rate. Graduates have an average starting salary of $35,900 annually. Enrolled students have an average GPA of 3.13, an average SAT score of 978, and an ACT score between 18 and 22.
Majors include:
- Accounting
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Computer Science – Applied Computing Track
- Cybersecurity
- Earth and Space Science – Geology Track
- English and Secondary Education
- Health Science
- Information Technology
- Kinesiology – Exercise Science Concentration
- Management – Entrepreneurship Concentration
- Nursing
- Organizational Leadership Development Track
- Political Science
- Robotics Engineering
- Theatre
Spelman College
Spelman College was founded in 1881 by Harriet Giles and Sophia Packers as a liberal arts college for women. Being a historically Black college, little wonder that Black or African American students make up 97.4% of the total student population.
Students have ACT scores that range from 22 to 26 and average SAT scores between 1,020 and 1230.
It ranks 54th in National Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States. It also ranks 6th in Most Innovative Schools and ranks 1st in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Spelman College offers its students financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Students pay $29,972 for tuition and fees annually. The average amount of assistance and need-based scholarships awarded to first-year students was $12,539, and 87% of all students received some form of need-based financial aid.
Students have an average GPA of 3.76. Graduates have an average annual starting salary of $35,000 and an average annual salary of $51,300 after 10years.
Some majors include:
- Art
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Comparative Women’s Studies
- Documentary
- Economics
- Environmental Sciences
- Filmmaking
- Health Sciences
- History
- International Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Photography
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology and Anthropology
Georgia College & State University
It is a public liberal arts school with over 7000 enrolled students. It was founded in the year 1888 as a two-year degree program, but classes began in 1891. It became a 4-year college in 1917 and had students from various races, cultures, and backgrounds. Students can apply to study undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
It ranks 1st among the top best nursing schools in Georgia and the 18th in top online colleges. Georgia College & State University encourages students to think independently and lead creatively, and that’s why it has over 150 student organizations to help their students. Georgia College & State University students have an average GPA of 3.5 and an average SAT score of 1198.
Georgia state residents pay $9,524 for tuition, while students from other states spend $28,710 annually. Over 80% of students receive financial aid from the school as scholarships, student loans, and grants.
Georgia College & State University has an acceptance rate of 80% and a graduation rate of 59%. Graduates have an average starting salary of $35,700 annually.
Some majors include:
- Accounting
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Early Childhood Education
- Environmental Science
- Family Nurse Practitioner MSN
- Geography
- Health and Human Performance
- Liberal Studies
- Management
- Mass Communication
- Nursing
- Physics Research
- Political Science
- Rhetoric
- Sociology
- World Languages and Cultures
Why Study in Georgia?
Georgia has a rich history of promoting diversity, women empowerment through education, and providing top-notch education through its excellent schools. Students take part in numerous educational and recreational programs to learn life skills and perfect their knowledge of the industry they would like to work in. As an aside, Georgia has the best peaches and peanuts you can find anywhere!
Conclusion
The above list of top colleges in Georgia shows how good the educational system is and how well educators strive to bring out the best in students. These schools teach students how to communicate effectively, build sustainable networks, and work on their growth and leadership skills. Graduates from these colleges are primarily focused, well-guided and determined fellows who are resilient and assertive.