Best Value Biology Colleges in Georgia

Georgia Tech stands out among the state's biology programs with a remarkable 92.30% graduation rate, despite charging $13,289 in net costs. This creates an unusual situation where the most academically selective program (17.13% acceptance rate) sits in the middle of the price range for biology degrees across Georgia's 20 programs. The earnings spread tells an equally interesting story, with graduates from Gordon State College earning $36,992 annually while Fort Valley State graduates start at $21,964. Georgia's expanding biotechnology sector, anchored by companies in Atlanta's research corridor and coastal pharmaceutical operations, provides strong employment opportunities for biology graduates. The state's HOPE Scholarship significantly reduces costs for qualified students, making programs like Dalton State College accessible at just $4,694 net cost. However, graduation rates vary dramatically across institutions, from Gordon State's 17.30% to Georgia Tech's industry-leading performance, suggesting that program selection involves weighing affordability against completion likelihood.

Programs

$4,694 – $36,828

Net Price Range

$26,438

Avg. Program Earnings

43.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

49 Biology, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$29,685	$3,283	29.6%
2	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061	$25,658	$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
3	Gordon State College Barnesville, Georgia	$8,918	$36,992	$3,475	17.3%	93.3%
4	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$36,848	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
5	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$27,500	$5,498	25.2%
6	Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia	$11,696	$36,848	$4,458	19.8%	93.6%
7	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$31,818	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
8	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$31,423	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
9	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$26,353	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
10	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$27,476	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
11	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$23,649	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
12	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$21,964	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
13	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$26,353	$5,934	22.8%
14	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905	$23,649	$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
15	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$30,554	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
16	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$27,693	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
17	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$23,649	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
18	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$26,873	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
19	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$25,881	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
20	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$27,536	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
21	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$22,424	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
22	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$18,154	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
23	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313	$24,421	$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
24	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$27,476	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
25	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$23,649	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
26	Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia	$21,735	$21,052	$45,806	53.9%	71.0%
27	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$25,405	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
28	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911	$16,940	$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
29	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949	$18,771	$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
30	Atlanta Metropolitan State College Atlanta, Georgia	$5,090		$3,105	14.3%
31	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008		$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
32	Point University West Point, Georgia	$20,752		$22,300	40.4%	24.2%
33	South Georgia State College Douglas, Georgia	$9,300		$2,970	20.3%
34	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528		$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
35	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297		$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
36	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568		$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
37	Agnes Scott College Decatur, Georgia	$24,224		$48,150	70.5%	66.5%
38	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia	$22,328		$25,568	41.1%	80.8%
39	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133		$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
40	Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia	$36,828		$30,058	76.1%	28.4%
41	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786		$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
42	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769		$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
43	Paine College Augusta, Georgia	$15,074		$14,596	21.7%	51.5%
44	Life University Marietta, Georgia	$30,257		$15,036	32.1%	97.8%
45	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805		$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
46	Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Georgia	$21,983		$21,696	23.5%	94.8%
47	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052		$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
48	Covenant College Lookout Mountain, Georgia	$24,832		$40,464	71.9%	84.1%
49	East Georgia State College Swainsboro, Georgia	$9,380		$2,736	13.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Georgia Tech's biology program different from other affordable options in the state?

Georgia Tech combines a 92.30% graduation rate with moderate costs of $13,289, creating strong value despite its 17.13% acceptance rate. Most other affordable programs have graduation rates below 50%, with Gordon State at 17.30% and Georgia Gwinnett at 19.80%. Tech graduates also benefit from strong industry connections in Atlanta's biotech sector.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive biology programs in Georgia?

Surprisingly, some of the least expensive programs produce higher-earning graduates than costlier alternatives. Gordon State College costs $8,918 but graduates earn $36,992, while Fort Valley State costs $11,609 and graduates earn $21,964. The $15,000 earnings gap demonstrates that program cost doesn't always correlate with salary outcomes.

Is the HOPE Scholarship enough to cover biology degree costs at Georgia public colleges?

HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public institutions for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, but net costs include room, board, and fees. In-state tuition ranges from $3,195 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to $11,764 at Georgia Tech. Net costs after all aid range from $4,694 to $18,809, meaning additional funding is typically needed.

Does graduation rate vary significantly among biology programs in Georgia?

Graduation rates show extreme variation, from Georgia Tech's 92.30% down to Gordon State's 17.30%. Mid-tier performers include Fort Valley State at 45.20% and Augusta University at 48.60%. This 75-percentage-point spread suggests that institutional support and student preparation levels differ substantially across Georgia's biology programs.

Where do biology graduates find employment opportunities in Georgia's job market?

Atlanta's growing biotechnology corridor provides research and pharmaceutical opportunities, while the state's expanding film industry creates demand for scientific consultants. Coastal areas offer marine biology and environmental science positions, particularly around Savannah's port operations. The average starting salary of $29,000 reflects entry-level positions in labs, healthcare, and research facilities throughout the state.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.