POPULATION (2021): 10.8 million
CAPITAL: Atlanta, GA
LARGEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN GEORGIA: Georgia Institute of Technology
LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN GEORGIA: Emory University
Located just north of Florida, Georgia is a large southern state both in landmass and population. The capital of Atlanta is also the biggest city and is home to one of the busiest international airports in the world. Atlanta’s economy is also booming, and becoming home to many industries that southerners used to have to travel elsewhere to learn about or join a workforce, such as entertainment and tech.
The climate is mild throughout the state, and many rolling hills and lakes are spread across the rural areas all the way to the stretch of the Atlantic Coast that Georgia residents and college students enjoy.
Here is a closer look at the ins and outs of the college landscape in Georgia.
Universities in Georgia – 4-Year Colleges and Online
Georgia has a nice mix of private and public options for college students, all of whom get to enjoy a year-round moderate climate that allows them to explore what’s near their campus, as well as what’s in the rolling hills throughout the state.
Public Universities in Georgia
There are 26 4-year colleges in the University System of Georgia, with the University of Georgia serving as the flagship college. Located in Athens, the U of Georgia offers students the classic college experience with historic architecture, top-notch classes, and the full slate of Division 1 sports for men and women alike.
Other large schools in the Georgia University System include the Georgia Institute of Technolgy and Georgia State University, both in Atlanta, and several colleges named after their location in the state, including
- Albany State University
- Fort Valley State University
- the University of West Georgia
- Georgia Southwestern State University
- Middle Georgia State University
- Savannah State University
- the University of North Georgia
- Dalton State College
- College of Coastal Georgia
- Gordon State College
- South Georgia State
There are an additional 22 technical colleges that fall under the state school umbrella, though most are focused and offer more 2-year programs than 4-year programs.
Private Universities in Georgia
There are also several private university options for students who want to go to college in Florida. As far as full-service universities, some of the most prominent 4-year private colleges in Georgia are Emory University with 15,000 students, Mercer University with 9,000, and the Savannah College of Art and Design with nearly 12,000 students.
Community Colleges in Georgia
Georgia has a very accessible and affordable community college system, and the state has more than 50 community college campuses that offer students 2-year programs and on-the-job training opportunities. The average tuition at these colleges is less than $3,000 per year and many offer pipeline programs to one or many of the state universities.
Prominent Online Colleges in Georgia
Georgia is a bit below the national median as far as online college enrollment, but there are still roughly 50,000 students in the state attending college wholly online. Some of the most popular colleges for online education in Georgia are Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia.
Universities in Atlanta, GA
Generally speaking, capital cities tend to have a lot of colleges, as does the biggest city in a given state. Well in Georgia, Atlanta checks both of those boxes and does, indeed, have a lot of options for college students. Here is a list of all of the 4-year colleges in Atlanta, GA:
- American Intercontinental University
- Atlanta Metropolitan State
- Beulah Heights University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Emory University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia State University
- Herzig University
- Spelman College
- Strayer University
- The Art Institute of Atlanta
Get to Know Georgia
One of the many good things about the state of Georgia is its size, which allows for a little something for everyone looking to attend college in the state. There are several metropolitan areas for students who like the city vibe and nightlife, with Atlanta being the largest. Augusta and the coastal city of Savannah also offer a lot of indoor fun such as live music, museums, clubs and bars, and sports events.
Speaking of Savannah, beach lovers have plenty of options for college in Georgia, and people who love Georgia beaches swear by them as the best in the country. No matter where you attend college in Georgia, the coast isn’t particularly far unless you find yourself in the northwest part of the state. Then, however, there are mountains and rivers, and waterfalls to explore for nearly all 12 months of the year.
The cost of living is quite low, and southern hospitality is very much a thing in Georgia. Kindness is as abundant as the wonderful southern food options, and all of the college choices laid out above.