What are the best universities in Georgia? If you live in the state or are interested in going to school there, this question must have crossed your mind. Making the right choice during your school search can boost your chances of getting a quality college education, a good job, and a great career path. Georgia universities offer a wide range of programs for students of all walks of life, from PhD candidates to second bachelor’s degrees.
In this article, we list and explain the top 10 universities in Georgia. You will also learn about why schooling in Georgia is a great choice, admission requirements for a prospective undergraduate student, and how the institutions rank nationally. We will go into detail about application materials for each level of study and share information about campus life.
How We Defined Georgia University Rankings
This ranking is based on a thorough analysis of the academic, financial, admissions, and student life data obtained from the US Department of Education. Reviews from students and alumni were also considered in this ranking. Many school rankings were compared to arrive at this list, which include acceptance rate, undergraduate and graduate tuition rates, and faculty resources.
Georgia Universities Ranked: Top 10 Universities in Georgia
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Georgia
- Emory University
- Kennesaw State University
- Clayton State University
- Wesleyan College
- Georgia Southern University
- Columbus State University
- Spelman College
- Georgia College & State University
The Best Colleges and Universities in Georgia, Explained
Above, we listed the top 10 school options in Georgia, in no particular order. In this section, we discuss the qualities of each of these universities. We will reveal their location, ranking, student population, graduation rate, academic programs, and admission requirements. These are all important factors to keep in mind during your application process.
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
- US News National Ranking: #38
- Campus Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,174
- Graduation Rate: 88%
Georgia Institute of Technology is a public school located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the Georgia Institute of Technology has about 40,000 students. Georgia Tech is recognized as one of the best colleges in the state. Some of the notable areas of study include international affairs, music technology, computational media, and architecture.
2. University of Georgia
- US News National Ranking: #48
- Campus Location(s): Athens, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,726
- Graduation Rate: 85%
The University of Georgia was established in 1801 and serves as one of the oldest public schools in the country. The University of Georgia offers degree programs in various areas, including avian biology, veterinary medicine, and forest resources. Each program practices academic excellence and has affordable undergraduate tuition.
Tuition is dependent on different factors, such as the state of a student’s residency, degree program, and enrollment. Applicants are required to submit their transcripts, GRE, or GMAT scores along with letters of recommendation and supplemental materials. If you want an innovative college experience, try this school.
3. Emory University
- US News National Ranking: #21
- Campus Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,023
- Graduation Rate: 92%
Emory University is a private university that started operation in 1836. The university currently maintains three campuses and offers a wide variety of about 250 degree programs. The programs include a doctorate in cancer biology and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship.
Undergraduates in the business school or school of nursing pay different tuition from the other students. For graduate students, the tuition varies and is dependent on the program. Eligible candidates are expected to submit transcripts, a letter of recommendation from a counselor, short essays, and recommendations from two teachers.
4. Kennesaw State University
- US News National Ranking: #299-#391
- Campus Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,439
- Graduation Rate: 48%
Kennesaw State University is a state university that caters to a total of over 41,000 students in its Atlanta campuses and online programs. Kennesaw State has over 160 degree programs on offer. Some of the notable courses include exercise science, apparel textile technology, geospatial sciences, and manufacturing operations.
Eligible undergraduate applicants are required to submit transcripts with a minimum of 2.5 GPA. For graduate applicants, various supplemental materials must be submitted along with the transcripts. This requirement, however, varies according to the program of study. Overall, this is an amazing college, whether you want to get a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Education.
5. Clayton State University
- US News National Ranking: #104-#137 in Regional Universities South
- Campus Location(s): Morrow, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,453
- Graduation Rate: 40%
CSU is a public institution that started operating in 1969. Students can pick from the over 50 degree programs in any of the four colleges of the university. Programs include dental hygiene, film production, and supply chain analytics. Clayton State University also has up to 20 online courses on offer. Eligible candidates must submit transcripts, essays, and test scores.
6. Wesleyan College
- US News National Ranking: #157 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
- Campus Location(s): Macon, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 584
- Graduation Rate: 52%
Wesleyan College is a private all-female college with about 700 students. Undergraduate areas of study include environmental studies, applied data analysis, neuroscience, and international business. The college offers graduate degrees in addition to undergraduate programs. Graduate admission varies between different programs, but first-year applicants must submit transcripts.
7. Georgia Southern University
- US News National Ranking: #299-#391
- Campus Location(s): Statesboro, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,665
- Graduation Rate: 50%
Georgia Southern University is a public institution that was founded in 1908. The school has grown to have three campuses in addition to online degree programs. The university offers more than 150 degrees and certificate options. Some of the areas of the study include interior design, respiratory therapy, Chinese language, and exercise science.
Applicants are required to submit transcripts with a GPA of at least 2.5. According to College Scorecard, the graduation rate is only 50 percent, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a strong school on this list. It is full of friendly students and has a beautiful campus as well as opportunities for community building. With a range of majors, this esteemed school is a great choice.
8. Columbus State University
- US News National Ranking: #74 in Regional Universities South
- Campus Location(s): Columbus, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,188
- Graduation Rate: 37%
Columbus State University is a public university that was founded in 1958. Columbus State offers more than 170 degree programs across its various colleges. Some areas of study include earth and space science, robotics engineering, and music performance. First-year applicants are required to submit their GRE or GMAT scores, transcripts, and other supplemental materials.
9. Spelman College
- US News National Ranking: #54 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
- Campus Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,118
- Graduation Rate: 77%
Spelman College is a private institution that was founded in 1881. It is an all-female school that started as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. Spelman College is part of the Women’s College Coalition and gains recognition as a historically Black college. The Atlanta campus is fantastic faculty and caring staff to help you through the college selection process.
Undergraduate students can earn a degree in over 30 areas of study, including dance performance, comparative women’s studies, photography, documentary, filmmaking, and choreography. The school also offers minors in Japanese studies, African diaspora studies, and food studies. First-year applicants must submit transcripts, two letters of support, and an essay.
10. Georgia College & State University
- US News National Ranking: #21 in Regional Universities South
- Campus Location(s): Milledgeville, Georgia
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,764
- Graduation Rate: 64%
Georgia College & State University was one of the public colleges in the state and started operating in 1891. The school offers degrees in many areas, such as geography, rhetoric, and human performance. Online classes and online programs are also available for various degrees.
Eligible first-year applicants are required to submit two essays along with a transcript. Graduate admission requirements vary from program to program. The Master of Arts programs can be more difficult to get into, but they offer a strong curriculum.
Is a University in Georgia Right for You?
Yes, studying in the state of Georgia is a great choice for a college career. The state has good universities that offer quality education, with three universities that are ranked in the top 50 across the country. A range of programs are offered, and if you prefer distance learning to on-campus programs, you will find multiple universities that offer online learning to suit your plans.
Social life is abundant in many universities in Georgia, and you can engage in other activities or join fun clubs and organizations to balance your academic and personal life. Lastly, if you feel like attending an HBCU, it will interest you to know that the state has quite a few institutions recognized as an HBCU, including Spelman College.
Best Universities in Georgia FAQ
The insurance/risk management at UGA is ranked as the best in the country. Also, UGA is ranked as one of the best 25 colleges for veterans. Whether you want to get an undergraduate degree or choose from its doctoral degrees, this school is a great choice.
Yes, Georgia has some very good universities. Examples of these excellent academic institutions are Georgia State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. You can also find schools like Piedmont College, Valdosta State University, and Emmanuel College in the area.
Yes, it is, and the state of Georgia serves as home to many different HBCUs. The most popular among these are Paine College, Savannah State University, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University.
Yes, these private schools include Emory University, Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, and Berry College. There are lots of other institutions in Georgia, like Oglethorpe University, Mercer University, and Toccoa Falls College. Each one offers notable degree programs and a strong student body.
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