A Complete Guide to Colleges in Atlanta

Updated on April 24, 2023

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Many prestigious schools, like Georgia Tech and Emory, call Georgia’s capital home. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular colleges in Atlanta.

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5 Popular Colleges in Atlanta, Georgia

Sweet tea, peaches, and Southern hospitality await students in Atlanta. Here, we spotlight five popular colleges and universities in Atlanta for you to consider, followed by a complete list of all Atlanta colleges.

All school data below comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Tuition and fees are from 2022-2023, while acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, net prices, and number of applicants are from 2021.

1. Georgia Institute of Technology
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $11,764 (in-state) | $32,876 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- Total Student Enrollment: 43,859
Georgia Tech is a prestigious public research university known for its computer science and engineering programs.
With a main campus in Atlanta spanning 400 acres, Georgia Tech also runs campuses in Metz, France, and Shenzhen, China.
The school boasts a promising return on investment for its graduates. In 2022, the average annual salary for Georgia Tech grads with a bachelor’s degree was $85,193. Students who majored in computer science earned an even higher median annual salary of $113,000.
2. Emory University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $57,948
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Total Student Enrollment: 14,779
A competitive private university, Emory promises to meet 100% of first-time undergraduates’ financial need. Once graduated, the average starting salary for Emory alums is $60,919.
Admitted students can enjoy small classes, a 9-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, and positive student outcomes: 90% of Emory graduates are employed or continuing their education.
Most Emory students major in business, nursing, biology, neuroscience, or psychology. What’s more, 100% of Emory’s nursing students have a job offer within three months of graduating.
3. Spelman College
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $28,885
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Total Student Enrollment: 2,417
Spelman is both a prestigious private women’s college and a historically Black college or university (HBCU). In fact, Spelman has the highest graduation rate among all HBCUs at 76%.
Half of Spelman students live on campus, where they can join over 80 student groups. Popular majors include biology, political science, economics, health services, and literature.
At Spelman, 96% of beginning undergraduates receive grants or scholarships. And according to The New York Times, Spelman grads earn a median annual income of $49,800 at age 34.

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4. Georgia State University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $8,478 (in-state) | $23,709 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Total Student Enrollment: 36,973
A public university and minority-serving institution, GSU prides itself on its diverse student body: 41% of students identify as Black, 24% as white, 15% as Asian, 13% as Hispanic, and 6% as multiracial.
GSU is also known for its innovation. The university’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference gives students the opportunity to showcase their research and creative projects — and win awards.
Students can present artistic and film displays, musical performances, oral presentations, and posters.
5. Kennesaw State University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $5,786 (in-state) | $17,040 (out-of-state)
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Total Student Enrollment: 42,899
Home to an active student community, KSU received recognition for Scrappy’s Bucket List, an incentivized list of 63 things to do before students graduate. You can earn rewards and free swag as you complete activities like taking a selfie at the homecoming parade or attending the pumpkin launch.
KSU is a Carnegie-designated research institution. Undergraduates have many opportunities to work alongside faculty to develop research, investigate topics, and publish original work.
Historically, KSU has advanced research in areas like paleontology, biology, education, sustainability, and military and emergency services.

List of All Atlanta Colleges and Universities

We’ve compiled an exhaustive list of four-year nonprofit schools in Atlanta. You can view and compare factors like student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

School	Total Student Enrollment	Avg. Annual Net Price	Acceptance Rate	Number of Applicants
Agnes Scott College	1,109	$13,420	51%	11,176
Atlanta Metropolitan State College	1,605	$6,295	100%	N/A
Beulah Heights University	410	$15,836	100%	N/A
Clark Atlanta University	4,055	$29,739	58%	16,718
Clayton State University	6,817	$10,088	63%	1,843
Emory University	14,779	$28,367	13%	33,435
Georgia Institute of Technology	43,859	$17,360	16%	44,048
Georgia State University	36,973	$17,958	100%	19,755
Herzing University	608	$23,172	95%	73
Kennesaw State University	42,899	$18,245	82%	20,806
Life University	2,787	$28,276	96%	318
Morehouse College	2,554	$20,492	65%	3,777
Oglethorpe University	1,446	$14,929	81%	2,277
Spelman College	2,417	$28,527	51%	11,176

Source: NCES

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Atlanta

Do I qualify for in-state tuition in Atlanta?

To qualify for in-state tuition in Atlanta, you must have been a Georgia resident for at least one full year. You can also qualify if your parent, legal guardian, or spouse is a full-time resident of Georgia.

What is the cheapest college in Atlanta?

Of all four-year nonprofit colleges in Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College has the lowest average annual net price at $6,295, according to NCES. Other Atlanta schools with lower price tags include Clayton State University ($10,088) and Agnes Scott College ($13,420).

On the other hand, Clark Atlanta University has the highest average annual net price in Atlanta, at $29,739 per year.

What is the cost of living in Atlanta?

According to Payscale, the average cost of living in Atlanta is 2% higher than the national average. The median rent in Atlanta is $1,475 per month, and utilities cost 14% less than the national average.

Student expenses tend to be even lower than the city average, with ample student discount opportunities and more affordable student housing options.

What HBCU is in Atlanta?

Atlanta is home to three HBCUs: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Each school has a good reputation for high-quality education and positive student outcomes.