Colleges in Georgia
Why Go to College in Georgia?
Georgia offers safe neighborhoods, cultural and historical attractions, and affordable housing, which is why 100,000 people each year make the Peach State their home. Georgia boasts sunny weather, beautiful scenery, and delicious regional cuisine, ranging from James Beard-awarded restaurants to colorful food trucks, and there's no shortage of outdoor recreation, from festivals to sporting events.
Georgia is home to more than 120 colleges and universities , making this coastal state an appealing place to earn a degree at campus or at online colleges in Georgia.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Georgia?
On-Campus
Attending a traditional, on-campus college gives students experiences often unavailable through online colleges in GA. Students are exposed to a social atmosphere through their living arrangements or participation in on-campus activities. On-campus students engage with students of differing backgrounds, cultures, and ideas.
The ideal student for an on-campus learning experience is not employed full time, is eager to form new friendships, and is a hands-on learner. A student who prefers to interact with classmates and professors face-to-face will benefit from an on-campus learning environment. Online Programs
Online learning is ideal for working students, as online schools in Georgia allow students to access course materials according to their own schedules. An online education eliminates any commute to campus, as well as driving and parking expenses. Many online schools in Georgia allow students to schedule courses at their own pace or take one course at a time.
An online student should be able to incorporate classwork into daily life with minimal disruption. With few exceptions, online learners don't have to live near campus or attend classes in person. A student at an online college in GA can even complete coursework while they travel for work or vacation.
Hybrid Programs
Some students choose hybrid degree programs, which involve taking some courses online and some on campus. A hybrid program offers the socialization of a campus experience with the convenience and freedom of online classes. This option appeals to students with a variety of learning styles; students can interact with peers and instructors in person, while also completing online coursework online at their convenience.
Popular Degree Programs in Georgia
The two industries that employ the largest number of workers in Georgia are professional and business services and government. As a result, many Georgia students pursue degrees that prepare them for employment in these industries. Two popular degrees for students at online colleges in Georgia are business management and administration and early childhood education.
Business management and administration This degree prepares students to conduct the planning, organizing, and management functions for a company or organization. This major is popular among Georgia students because the professional and business services industry employs the most workers in the state. Graduates also pursue careers outside professional and business services, such as positions in finance and human resources.
Early childhood education Early childhood education prepares graduates to become teachers of young children, school principals, and childcare directors. Coursework covers the fundamentals of educating young children and administration of academic and childcare facilities. With ample employment opportunities in public schools, this is a popular degree in Georgia.
What Are the Best Online Colleges in Georgia?
The following section ranks the best online colleges in Georgia. Different students will be attracted to certain features when choosing the best school for their goals. Consider which degrees a school offers, as well as available courses and concentrations. Additionally, online colleges in GA vary with regard to resources for distance learners and policies regarding out-of-state tuition for online students. This ranking will help students determine the best fit for their educational needs and goals.
Top 25 Colleges in Georgia for 2019
Admissions Rate
53%
Graduation Rate
85%
Online Enrollment
1%
Retention Rate
95%
Default Rate
4%
University of Georgia comprises 17 different colleges and schools on five separate campuses in Athens, Atlanta/Buckhead, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. Known as the birthplace of public higher education in America, this top institution is among online schools in Georgia that provide 25 bachelor programs in more than 143 fields. UGA is a national leader among public universities for the number of major scholarships earned by degree candidates. The school offers two online undergraduate degrees in either business administration or special education. The university also features 16 online graduate programs and several online certificate programs. Distance learners complete coursework asynchronously, providing learners with a flexible schedule. Online students pay an in-state tuition rate.
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What Are the Best Online Community Colleges in Georgia?
The term "college" refers to multiple types of postsecondary institutions. Perhaps the most familiar type is the four-year university, such as Harvard or UCLA. Also present in the educational landscape are community colleges, which offer two-year associate degrees, workforce education, and certificate programs. Each type of institution presents advantages and disadvantages, so students should research their options to determine the best fit for their individual needs. This guide is a resource to help students who are interested in Georgia's higher education opportunities compare universities and community colleges.
Top 10 Online Community Colleges in Georgia for 2019
Graduation Rate
45%
Online Enrollment
10%
Retention Rate
63%
Default Rate
0%
Originally founded as a public technical school in 1986, Ogeechee Technical College offers associate degree and certificate programs to nearly 3,000 students. Ogeechee is located in Statesboro, just northwest of Savannah, and offers both on-campus and fully online programs in a range of subject areas. Students can pursue degree tracks in areas including accounting, criminal justice, technical studies, and business management, all without coming to campus.
Online courses at Ogeechee are taught mostly asynchronously, allowing for more flexibility in when and where students complete their coursework. In addition to entire associate degree and certificate programs being available entirely online, students can take a variety of required general education courses online as well. As with most online community colleges in Georgia, ACT or SAT scores along with high school and other postsecondary transcripts are required for admission.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Georgia
Georgia's spending on postsecondary education per full-time student is more than $500 above the U.S. average. Additionally, Georgia's proportion of tax revenue allocated to higher education exceeds the national average by nearly 2%. According to U.S. Census data, Georgia is just below the national average for the percentage of adults with degrees above high school level.
| Georgia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $7,490 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 7.7% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 7.2% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 18.1% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 10.7% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Georgia
Prospective students should consider many factors when selecting a college. For many students, the economic impact of attaining their degree is chief among these considerations. Tuition rates vary widely, and students should weigh the cost of living in each potential area, along with the cost of transportation, textbooks, and other supplies. Financial aid opportunities can offset the cost of a postsecondary degree.
Tuition Prices
The following table provides average prices for tuition and fees at public two- and four-year colleges in Georgia. These totals do not include costs such as textbooks, transportation, and rent.
Financial Aid
Although a postsecondary degree is a prerequisite for entry into a growing list of careers, earning a degree from an accredited institution of higher learning is not cheap. Students should take full advantage of financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Types of financial aid available to students include scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. Scholarships and grants are the most desirable forms of financial aid, as these funds, awarded based on merit or financial need, do not have to be repaid. Federal work-study programs provide part-time employment to offset the cost of a degree. When other options have been exhausted, students may choose to take out loans, which they must repay with interest, typically following a grace period.
Cost for Online Programs in Georgia
Students who complete the FAFSA and receive financial aid may apply the funding toward a degree from an online college in Georgia. Costs for online schools in Georgia are similar to those for traditional programs, but online students save money on transportation, textbooks, and childcare. Work-study programs are especially feasible for students attending an online college in GA, as online programs are typically designed to accommodate employment.
Cost of Living by Region
The cost of living varies greatly depending on the geographic location of a student's university. Cost of living drastically impacts the overall cost of a degree, as well as career prospects after graduation. Distance learners attending online colleges in Georgia benefit from choosing locations with lower costs of living.
Scholarships for Georgia College Students
Can All Scholarships Be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be applied to any type of higher education program, online or in-person. Some awards require students to pursue a particular field of study. Students interested in applying for scholarships should verify the eligibility requirements for each scholarship to ensure they qualify and will be able to apply the funds toward their chosen degree and program.
Employment Outlook in Georgia
Employment opportunities in Georgia follow national trends for mean wages and unemployment rates . Students interested in careers in trade, transportation, and utilities, government, or professional and business services will benefit from a degree from an on-campus university or an online college in Georgia, as these industries are the largest in the state.
Delta Airlines, the Cobb County School System, and the Department of Defense are the top employers in Georgia. Students who plan to live and work in Georgia may wish to pursue a degree that will help them secure employment at these organizations.
| Georgia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $46,540 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Georgia
Top Industries in Georgia
Trade, transportation, and utilities: This industry includes wholesale and retail trade, transportation of passengers and cargo, and administration of utilities, such as electricity, gas, and sewage.
Government: The government industry in Georgia includes local government educational services, the Department of Defense, and public primary and secondary educational services.
Professional and business services: This industry provides professional, scientific, and technical services, including organizations that hold securities or management interests in companies and those that provide day-to-day services for other organizations.
Top Employers in Georgia
Delta Airlines: 33,000 employees
Cobb County School System: 15,000 employees
Department of Defense: 14,500 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Georgia
An accredited program has passed inspection by an approved agency. National accreditation typically applies to trade and vocational schools and may not require standards as rigorous as those imposed by regional accreditation bodies. Employers often look for regional accreditation when evaluating a prospective employee's education. Additionally, professional licensure often requires a degree from an accredited institution. Students may favor regional accreditation status when choosing a college or university to avoid obstacles when transferring credits or applying for jobs.
According to U.S. News & World Report , accreditation standards are as demanding for online schools as for traditional institutions. However, online programs may require special considerations, such as the quality of the online environment and resources available to distance learners. Students searching for an accredited online school in Georgia should look for approval by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Resources for Students in Georgia
State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC): The GNPEC regulates the operations of profit and nonprofit private colleges in Georgia. Every degree program must be authorized by the GNPEC before the institution may operate or advertise to students.
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC): The GSFC provides information and resources to help Georgia students pay for college. The organization administers more than 20 scholarships, grants, and loans funded by the state and lottery systems to students enrolled at traditional campuses and at online schools in Georgia.
Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG): The TCSG oversees technical and vocational colleges in Georgia, as well as programs for adult literacy and workforce development. The organization coordinates a unified system across technical schools to ensure an educated labor force.
Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA): The GSFA disburses and services Federal Family Education Loan Program loans, in addition to loans funded by the state and state lotteries. Many loans are dependent on service in various community programs.
State of Georgia Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator's Office: The Coordinator's Office ensures facilities meet the standards for access defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Coordinator's Office provides technical assistance and training to state agencies to help them implement ADA requirements.
University System of Georgia (USG): The USG regulates public colleges and universities within Georgia's university system. The USG makes policy decisions, sets tuition rates, and handles academic, communication, and governmental affairs.