10 Best Colleges in Georgia

Choosing which college to attend is a big decision! Whether you’re a current resident of Georgia or you’re considering a move to this southern state, you have lots of options for fantastic colleges and universities.

But where do you start when there are hundreds of schools to choose from? We’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 best colleges in Georgia for you to compare.

Keep in mind, your budget and what you’re looking for in a school—things like class sizes, locations and degree offerings—will determine the best fit for you. Our list of the best colleges in Georgia is based on a few things: overall quality of education, student-faculty ratio, and the cost of tuition (because we’re all about you getting your degree debt-free). Ready to learn more?

Top 10 Best Colleges in Georgia

1. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

We’re starting off strong with Georgia Institute of Technology—also known as Georgia Tech—which is a top 10 public research school. It’s one of the largest industrial and engineering research agencies in the southern U.S., and it’s ranked number one in career placement for graduates.¹ Impressive, right? Consider going to Georgia Tech if you’re interested in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $10,512 / $32,938²
• City: Atlanta, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,505
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
• Graduation Rate: 57%³

2. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is known as the birthplace of public higher education in America. It’s the oldest university in Georgia and offers a top-rated honor’s college, small class sizes and the famous bulldog mascot—named the greatest mascot in college football history back in 2019.⁴

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $10,034 / $30,272⁵
• City: Athens, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,514
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
• Graduation Rate: 72%⁶

3. Emory University

Founded in 1836, Emory University is recognized as a leading research university. It’s known for its liberal arts colleges and graduate schools, as well as for having one of the world’s leading health care systems. Emory is on the pricier side since it’s a private college, but it offers some of the best education in health care for those with that career focus.

• Public vs. Private: Private
• Tuition: $64,280
• City: Atlanta, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,359
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
• Graduation Rate: 83%⁷

4. Georgia State University

Georgia State University is an urban public research institution in Atlanta. Its location in the big city makes it a major cultural and economic influence of the South. And if you’re looking for city vibes, Georgia State’s got you covered—there’s no shortage of public transportation, parks and other attractions near campus.

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $9,180 / $29,400⁸
• City: Atlanta, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 27,610
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
• Graduation Rate: 34%⁹

5. Georgia College and State University

Coming in at the halfway point of the 10 best colleges in Georgia, Georgia College is the state’s designated public liberal arts university. It’s located about two hours outside of Atlanta in a pretty town called Milledgeville. Georgia College was founded in 1889 and started as a women’s college. With more than 170 student organizations, Georgia College has plenty of opportunities to learn outside the classroom as well.¹⁰

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $7,696 / $28,022¹¹
• City: Milledgeville, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,681
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
• Graduation Rate: 51%¹²

6. Wesleyan College

Here’s a fun fact about Wesleyan College: It was the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women.¹³ Yes, the first! It’s been ranked as the fourth most diverse college in Georgia, and its student base represents about 20 countries.¹⁴ With fewer than 1,000 students, this college is on the small side—but it’s not lacking in quality education. It’s a women’s college, so if you’re a young woman looking for a close community, this could be a great option for you.

• Public vs. Private: Private women’s college
• Tuition: $26,450¹⁵
• City: Macon, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 614
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
• Graduation Rate: 41%¹⁶

7. Georgia Southern University

Statesboro’s Georgia Southern University was founded in 1906. With 132 degree programs, Georgia Southern is the state’s largest higher education center in southern Georgia. It has three campuses in total and more than 300 student organizations.¹⁷ And the main campus is beautiful, with sprawling lawns, old moss-covered trees and historic brick buildings—perfect for that classic Southern feel.

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $5,610 / $20,250¹⁸
• City: Statesboro, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,353
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 24:1
• Graduation Rate: 34%¹⁹

8. Spelman College

Spelman College is a historically Black liberal arts college for women. It was founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary and became Spelman College in 1924. Spelman also has a smaller student population, so you can expect cozier class sizes and more focused learning.

• Public vs. Private: Private women’s college
• Tuition: $28,207²⁰
• City: Atlanta, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,588
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
• Graduation Rate: 68%²¹

9. Morehouse College

Morehouse College is a historically Black, all-men’s college. It was ranked number one for best liberal arts college or university in Georgia and number one producer of Black men who go on to earn doctorates.²² Morehouse is a smaller campus with fewer than 3,000 students, so if you’re a young man in search of a tight-knit community, this school is one to think about.

• Public vs. Private: Private men’s college
• Tuition: $28,964²³
• City: Atlanta, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,738
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
• Graduation Rate: 36%²⁴

10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, with two campuses north of the Atlanta area—one in Kennesaw and the other in Marietta. And it has an R2 Carnegie-designated doctoral research classification, making it part of only 6% of U.S. colleges that have R1 or R2 status.²⁵  This school is a great option if you’re interested in computer science, security or technical programs like engineering.

• Public vs. Private: Public
• In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: $5,700 / $20,610²⁶
• City: Kennesaw, GA
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,591
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
• Graduation Rate: 21%²⁷

Best College Scholarships in Georgia

Before we wrap up, let’s go over some of the best scholarships for students attending college in Georgia. One of the top options for Georgia residents is the HOPE Scholarship, which helps qualified students pay for tuition at in-state colleges, universities and technical schools. To be eligible, you’ll need to earn a 3.0 GPA in your core classes, and you’ll have to complete at least four advanced-level classes. You’ll also need to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout your time in college.²⁸

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If you attend a private college, the HOPE Scholarship will be worth $2,000–3,000 per semester.²⁹ But if you attend one of Georgia’s state schools, the HOPE Scholarship will cover almost all your tuition costs—a much sweeter deal. Either way, you can continue receiving HOPE Scholarship funds every semester until you’ve earned 127 credit hours.³⁰

You can also check into some well-known state grants in Georgia, like the HOPE Grant (different than the HOPE Scholarship) and Zell Miller Grant. These grants are available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement.³¹ And no matter what, fill out the FAFSA (this is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see how much your college of choice will pitch in for your tuition costs.

The bottom line? You have lots of alternatives to student loans as a college student in Georgia.

You’ve Got This!

Getting ready for your college adventure is an exciting time. Yes, it’s hard work to research the schools you want to attend, learn more about financial aid, and get ready for a brand-new start—but you should still enjoy every minute of this process as you set yourself up for success!