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Urban Colleges in Georgia

50 schools in Georgia. See our methodology.

Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $102,772 annually, reflecting the state's position as a southeastern technology leader. The gap between top performers and technical colleges tells an interesting story across Georgia's 50 urban institutions. While Georgia Tech maintains a selective 17.13% acceptance rate, institutions like Augusta University welcome 85.53% of applicants, creating pathways for different academic profiles. Atlanta Technical College offers the most affordable option at negative $864 net cost, while Spelman College represents the premium end at $36,828. The HOPE Scholarship program, providing free tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, makes Georgia particularly attractive for in-state students. Atlanta's emergence as a film production center and logistics center drives demand for both technical training and four-year degrees. Georgia State University enrolls 27,109 students in downtown Atlanta, positioning graduates near major employers like Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola. The state's technical college system, including institutions in Warner Robins and Gainesville, feeds Georgia's growing manufacturing sector. Graduation rates span from 29.6% at Dalton State to 100% at Morris Brown College, though the latter enrolls just 338 students. This range reflects Georgia's commitment to serving varied student populations across urban centers.
50
Schools
$16,868
Avg. Net Price
$43,400
Avg. Earnings
41.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Georgia

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Large 18,260 $13,289 92.3%
2 City-Midsize 31,310 $13,816 87.2%
3 City-Large 7,275 $23,911 91.8%
4 City-Large 3,633 $36,828 76.1%
5 City-Large 338 $18,898 100.0%
6 City-Large 27,109 $15,931 53.7%
7 City-Midsize 4,620 $22,350 73.4%
8 City-Small 4,147 $5,613 36.1%
9 City-Small 5,602 $4,750 40.9%
10 City-Large 3,044 $-864 40.8%
11 City-Small 4,080 $1,432 34.4%
12 City-Small 4,419 $4,694 29.6%
13 City-Midsize 2,967 $5,821 36.5%
14 City-Midsize 3,153 $5,876 33.1%
15 City-Midsize 5,282 $13,347 48.6%
16 City-Large 2,736 $35,949 52.7%
17 City-Midsize 466 $14,528 60.6%
18 City-Small 2,214 $4,293 34.1%
19 City-Midsize 3,531 $8,509 30.8%
20 City-Midsize 1,588 $31,471
21 City-Small 6,858 $11,298 41.7%
22 City-Midsize 2,727 $8,683 25.2%
23 City-Large 3,482 $35,115 47.8%
24 City-Small 5,829 $14,251 22.8%
25 City-Midsize 5,537 $11,889 41.7%
26 City-Midsize 2,668 $4,959 20.7%
27 City-Midsize 14,423 $45,450 70.5%
28 City-Large 1,348 $5,090 14.3%
29 City-Large 158 $5,970 16.7%
30 City-Midsize 670 $15,774 21.1%
31 City-Midsize 338 $15,074 21.7%
32 City-Midsize 246 $24,116 22.7%
33 City-Midsize 150 $21,117 56.3%
34 City-Midsize 114 $28,510 60.5%
35 City-Large 12,871 $10,102 22.2%
36 City-Small 47 $14,834 17.6%
37 City-Small 869 $30,257 32.1%
38 City-Small 2,794 $12,905 25.6%
39 City-Midsize 6,655 $13,922 25.6%
40 City-Small 981 $20,786 35.4%
41 City-Small 1,091 $16,286 37.1%
42 City-Midsize 524 $22,173 47.5%
43 City-Large 499 $21,757 29.2%
44 City-Midsize 6,492 $26,308 5.1%
45 City-Small 168 $32,181 44.9%
46 City-Midsize 270 $21,407 31.6%
47 City-Midsize 206 $22,139 31.1%
48 City-Large
49 City-Large
50 City-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Georgia Tech stand out among urban Georgia colleges?

Georgia Tech graduates earn $102,772 median salary, the highest among Georgia's urban colleges. The Atlanta campus maintains a competitive 17.13% acceptance rate while achieving a 92.30% graduation rate. With 18,260 students, Georgia Tech connects directly to Atlanta's growing technology sector and major corporations seeking engineering talent.

How does the HOPE Scholarship affect college costs in Georgia?

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, significantly reducing costs at public institutions. This explains why schools like Georgia State University charge $15,931 net cost compared to private options. Technical colleges benefit most, with some showing negative net costs like Atlanta Technical College at negative $864.

Is Atlanta a good location for college students seeking internships?

Atlanta hosts major corporations including Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, and UPS, creating internship opportunities across industries. The city's film production boom adds entertainment industry options. Georgia State University's 27,109 enrollment downtown positions students near these employers, while technical colleges train for logistics and manufacturing roles throughout metro Atlanta.

What explains the wide graduation rate differences between Georgia colleges?

Graduation rates range from 29.6% at Dalton State College to 100% at Morris Brown College. Selective institutions like Emory University (91.80%) and Georgia Tech (92.30%) maintain higher rates through admission standards. Technical colleges typically show lower graduation rates around 35-40% but focus on job placement rather than degree completion.

Does Georgia offer strong earning potential for college graduates?

Georgia graduates earn between $30,350 and $102,772 median salaries depending on institution and field. Georgia Tech leads in earning power, while University of Georgia graduates average $68,726. Even technical college graduates earn competitive salaries, with Central Georgia Technical College graduates averaging $30,848 in growing manufacturing regions.

Where should students consider attending if they want affordable urban education?

Atlanta Technical College offers the lowest net cost at negative $864, meaning students receive more aid than charges. Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Rome costs $1,432 net, while Dalton State College charges $4,694. These options provide urban access while maintaining affordability for students seeking technical training or associate degrees.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.