College education is increasingly important to Georgia's growing economy. A comprehensive study by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) backs up this claim. According to the GBPI, 65% of Georgia jobs will require at least a postsecondary diploma or certificate, some college education, or an associate degree by 2020.
In this guide, you will learn why attending a Georgia postsecondary school will benefit you when entering the state's job market. You will also familiarize yourself with essential facts about the state's higher education landscape, including where to find the most affordable online colleges in Georgia and how to navigate the many available options.
Georgia's Top Affordable Online Colleges
Keep in mind that some schools offer only a limited selection of online programs, while others have many more options. As you browse each school's description, pay particular attention to details that indicate the availability of programs aligned with your academic interests.
The growth of online college programs in Georgia demonstrates the state’s overall commitment to higher education excellence. The USG’s 402 online programs, combined with hundreds of programs across the remaining institutions, give students a wide range of options. But which colleges stand out? Which colleges offer the most affordable online programs year in and year out?
Why Choose Georgia for Online Higher Education?
Georgia possesses a strong depth in both the number and range of online program options available in the state. It also features a large and growing distance education student population. These factors reflect favorably on the value and quality of online degrees in Georgia and bode well for a variety of demographic groups, including single parents, full-time employees, underserved populations, and employed individuals seeking high-growth alternatives to shrinking legacy industries and labor markets.
The following table details state-specific information drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Data Education System (IPEDS):
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Number of Programs offered Completely Online in Georgia 130
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Undergraduate Students enrolled Exclusively Online in Georgia 17,356
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Graduate Students enrolled Exclusively Online in Georgia 15,466
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Total International Students enrolled Exclusively Online in Georgia 1,546
Cost of Attending an Online College in Georgia
Online programs in Georgia offer an affordable alternative to traditional education. Non-local students enjoy particular advantages, as many of Georgia's major higher education systems charge out-of-state students in-state tuition rates for online classes.
Georgia's online schools with tuition policies that charge in-state and out-of-state students different rates typically determine residency by considering an applicant's income tax returns, vehicle or voter registration, driver's licenses and other ID documents, and employment records. In most cases, you must establish a permanent home in Georgia well before applying for school, though exact timelines vary from institution to institution. You may also earn in-state tuition eligibility through a reciprocity agreement if you live in a state that borders Georgia and meet certain criteria.
The following table details recent tuition averages for in-state and out-of-state students at Georgia schools:
In-state tuition
Out-of-state tuition:
$7,010 – public, four-year institution
$2,895 – public, two-year institution
$21,377 – public, four-year institution
$7,958 – public, two-year institution
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2017
Note that online schools in Georgia remain relatively affordable by national standards. As of 2017, tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students enrolled in four-year colleges in Georgia were lower than the national averages for all states.
Most Georgia schools charge online students tuition rates that match or beat those of attending traditional on-campus classes. Remember, too, that studying online also saves time and transportation costs while eliminating the need for you to relocate to a physical campus.
Consider this snapshot of online tuition rates at several major Georgia schools for the 2018-19 academic year:
- Public, 4-Year University:University of Georgia, $473 per credit
- Private, 4-Year University:Emory University, $2,607 per credit
- 2-Year College:Augusta Technical College, $89 per credit
Considering a Georgia School as an Out-of-State Student
IPEDS data from 2016 counts almost 7,000 exclusively online out-of-state students enrolled at Georgia higher education institutions. Non-residents should take several factors into careful consideration when looking at online universities in Georgia, especially if you live in a bordering state. Some online colleges in Georgia participate in reciprocity agreements and offer "good neighbor" discounts to qualified residents of nearby states. These programs may entitle you to in-state tuition rates, even though you reside elsewhere.
However, keep in mind that state agreements and school policies may result in limitations or restrictions on out-of-state admissions to online programs. Research each school's stance on this matter early in the evaluation process to avoid wasting time learning about programs you cannot attend for eligibility reasons.
Out-of-State Undergraduate Students studying exclusively online in Georgia 1,894
Out-of-State Graduate Students studying exclusively online in Georgia 5,059
Tuition Discounts
Georgia participates in the regional interstate compact of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). SREB includes 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Academic Common Market (ACM) serves as SREB's discounted tuition program. Through the ACM, students from any SREB state can qualify for in-state tuition rates if they enroll in an eligible program. Individual institutions determine program eligibility, though in many cases, school administrators elect to include degree programs with little or no availability in other member states.
Using the University of Georgia as an example, you could save over $18,500 per year in tuition and mandatory fees through the ACM program.
State Authorizations for Online Learning
Georgia, like many states, participates in an interstate authorization process that applies to out-of-state students enrolled in online programs. Regulators established the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) process to introduce consumer protections to online learning by guaranteeing exemplary quality and integrity of academic programs.
Institutions participate in NC-SARA voluntarily. While non-participation does not necessarily reflect poorly on the quality or trustworthiness of a given school or program, some education experts would argue that you should favor participating institutions when considering your options.
Check with an admissions or financial officer
Tuition rates are ultimately program- and institution-based. Ask someone from a prospective program about what rates apply to you specifically as a potential member of a specific program.
One-Stop College Research Resources for Georgia's Online Schools
These resources will help you navigate your options as you research the top online schools in Georgia. Remember: these are general resources, and you should always perform independent research on the colleges that interest you.
Do Online Credits Cost More or Less in Georgia?
Each school maintains its own tuition policies, making it impossible to offer a universally applicable answer to this question. However, from a general standpoint, online colleges in Georgia tend to cost the same (or less) as attending traditional classes. This is particularly true of public colleges.
As you assess costs, remember that studying online also allows you to avoid some mandatory fees that only apply to on-campus students. You also avoid the need to relocate, which can save significant amounts of money over the course of a four-year degree. Flexible online course structures also make it easy to schedule your schoolwork around part-time or full-time employment, which further alleviates your financial burden and improves the cost-effectiveness of taking part in an online degree.
For specifics, refer to the fee tables listed on each school's official website.
Which Georgia Schools Accept the Most Transfer Credits?
According to statistics compiled for the 2018-19 academic year, the two Georgia colleges with the highest numbers of transfer students were Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University. While the sizable student bodies of these two schools partially explains the trend, their generous transfer credit policies also attract many new students.
At Kennesaw State University, incoming transfer students must possess a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all coursework to obtain advanced standing. Georgia State University's transfer credit policies permit students to earn recognition for up to 12 credit-hours of D-grade coursework in addition to its already generous allowances.
As the state's flagship higher education system, the University of Georgia also merits mention for transfer students. At the University of Georgia, incoming transfer students require at least 60 credit-hours of qualifying coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. You can learn more by visiting the FAQ on the University of Georgia's page for transfer students.
Beyond these general guidelines, refer to the specific transfer credit policies of each school under your consideration. Seek out your information on the school's own website, rather than relying on third-party sources.
Will Any Online Colleges in Georgia Accept a GED?
According to the General Educational Development (GED) Testing Service, more than 60% of recent high school graduates with a GED go on to enroll in college. The GED Testing Service also states that more than 97% of American employers and higher education institutions recognize the validity of the GED when considering new applicants. Instead of looking at your high school grades, colleges will instead consider the score you earned on your GED test.
However, keep in mind that you may be required to take additional entrance examinations, depending on the admissions policies in place at the school of your choice. For instance, if you do not have ACT or SAT scores, you may need to take these tests as part of your application process. If you have any questions, refer them to the admissions department of the school you want to attend.
How Many Academic Terms Per Year Do Online Colleges in Georgia Offer?
In general, accredited online colleges in Georgia feature semester-based or term-based start dates that occur every few months. Larger schools with sizable on-campus student bodies tend to align their online program start dates with their on-campus program start dates. This supports scheduling logistics and makes it easier for the school to assign regular faculty members to teach online classes, thus ensuring that all students enjoy parity in the quality of their education.
Many well-regarded online universities in Georgia employ alternative scheduling models. Some such models apply to most or all of the school's online programs, while others offer a limited number of programs with flexible start dates and accelerated schedules that allow students to begin their coursework shortly after acceptance. Consult each online school's scheduling policy as part of your due diligence in the application process.
By and large, schools and programs with relatively large numbers of students enrolled in online classes tend to offer flexible start dates or shorter terms that facilitate the ongoing integration of incoming students. A school's scheduling policy does not reflect its quality, and many highly reputable schools and programs use these alternative models.
Which Online Colleges Will Accept FAFSA in Georgia?
Millions of American college students begin their searches for educational financing by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College applicants use the FAFSA to confirm their eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and private forms of financial aid, including federal student loans, Pell Grants, state-based grant programs, school-based scholarships, and private scholarships.
As of November 2018, 134 Georgia colleges accept FAFSA. While not all of these colleges offer online programs, many of them do. Use the Federal School Code Search featured on the FAFSA website to search for the Georgia colleges under your consideration. Most FAFSA-supported funding sources make no distinction between online and traditional in-class study, so long as the school you attend holds accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). You can confirm any Georgia institution's status using the ED's accreditation database.
Are There Any Free Online Classes I Can Take from Georgia Colleges?
In the early 2010s, a loosely aligned collective of higher education institutions around the world launched a program to make low-cost online education more accessible. The initiative eventually became known as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). Hundreds of universities from dozens of different countries take part by offering internet-based students free access to thousands of MOOCs.
MOOCs deliver unbeatable value for online schools in Georgia. Two leading institutions participate in the initiative: the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and the University of Georgia system
Georgia Tech's MOOC offerings allow students to sign up and begin their studies anytime. The school allows MOOC coursework to count toward a verified certificate, should you choose to pursue one. Meanwhile, the University of Georgia system joined the MOOC program in 2013 as part of a partnership undertaken by 10 of America's leading public universities. However, neither school offers students the opportunity to earn credit for MOOC coursework as part of a degree program. Instead of acting as a means of earning cheap online degrees in Georgia, MOOCs mainly serve as personal enrichment classes, primarily for adult learners.
How Can I Find the Online Program Options at Georgia Colleges?
Georgia schools that offer both traditional in-class and online learning options typically maintain separate systems and platforms for dedicated use by internet-based students. For example, the University of Georgia system uses UGA Online, a comprehensive web portal to the institution's extensive catalog of online degree options. Many Georgia-based public and private universities maintain similar systems, with direct access links usually located on the school's main web page.
If you cannot immediately locate a particular school's system for online degree programs and classes, try using the site-specific search feature on the institution's home page. Use a general, all-encompassing search term like "online programs" or "online degrees," then navigate the results for relevant links. Alternately, you can try adding a similar search term as a modifier to the school's name in your preferred web-based search engine.
Georgia Scholarships and Grants
Students in need of financial aid should consider Pell Grants as their first option, as these federally sponsored subsidies do not require repayment. However, only students in undergraduate programs who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree qualify for these grants. If these limitations affect your eligibility, or if you plan to pursue an advanced degree, seeking scholarships specific to Georgia-based schools serves as a good backup plan.
For example, consider these five scholarships:
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COAG Scholarship
Open to high school seniors, GED holders, and students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at an accredited Georgia college, the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia (COAG) scholarship provides financial aid to students in law enforcement, government, law, business, political science, accounting, and finance programs.
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
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Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant
To qualify for a Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant, applicants must attend a participating private college in Georgia, have Georgia residency, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, and pursue an undergraduate degree program on a full-time basis. Awards contribute funds for tuition fees and other eligible expenses.
Scholarship Amount: $1,350
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Georgia Mining Foundation Scholarship Program
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be high school seniors in Georgia and plan to attend a Georgia-based college or university. Eligibility requirements also include extensive high school coursework in English, history, social sciences, algebra, biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as a minimum cumulative average of 85% and an SAT score of at least 1300.
Scholarship Amount: $500 to $1,000
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ARRL Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship
Residents of Georgia and Alabama qualify for this scholarship, offered by the ARRL National Association for Amateur Radio. Recipients must hold an active amateur radio license of any class, attend a Georgia-based or Alabama-based college or university, and major in degree programs related to electronics, communications, or radio broadcasting.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
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Best Practices of Certified Educators
Georgia residents can apply for this scholarship if they hold U.S. citizenship or legal resident status and currently attend or will attend a Georgia-based public college as an education major. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and a commitment to a future career in an education-related field.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
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