Best Online Colleges in Georgia
In September 2025, Coosa Valley News reported that, for the 12th consecutive year, Georgia ranked as the top state for business investment and development. Many of the state’s most in-demand and well-paying careers require an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Explore the best online colleges in Georgia and prepare for a career in the Peach State.
Georgia at a Glance
- There are 68 nonprofit four-year colleges and universities in Georgia.
- Around 36% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- In fall 2023, 56.8% of students at Georgia institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, nearly 170,000 students aged 25 and over enrolled at Georgia colleges.
10 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $185
Out-of-State | $185
Credits to Graduate: 120
Kennesaw State University offers 15 online bachelor's degree programs. You can choose from fully online programs like marketing, computer game design, or industrial engineering technology.Â
Kennesaw State is among just 6% of U.S. colleges to receive a Carnegie doctoral R2 research institution designation.
To meet admission requirements, you must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 with qualifying SAT or ACT scores. Test scores are optional if you have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
59%
$ 4,450
74%
$15,704
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Students Enrolled
- 42,899
- Institution Type
- Public
Georgia State University
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $185
Out-of-State | $654
Credits to Graduate: 120
Georgia State University is an Atlanta-based public research university. The average salary for alumni within five years of graduation is $55,300.
The school offers online associate and bachelor's degree programs in anthropology, homeland security, and political science. It also offers several online degree completion programs.Â
To apply, simply send transcripts along with your Georgia State application. Optionally, you can also submit test scores, a 250-650-word essay, and letters of recommendation.
66%
$ 7,158
75%
$22,389
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 36,973
- Institution Type
- Public
University of West Georgia
- Carrollton, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $182
Out-of-State | $182
Credits to Graduate: 120
The University of West Georgia offers a number of partially and fully online programs in accounting, economics, and political science.Â
UWG also partners with the University System of Georgia public institutions, offering additional online eMajors like organizational leadership, criminal justice, and financial technology. To take an eMajor, you must first be accepted to the school and take an eMajor introduction quiz.
An eMajor comes with online tutoring and personal success coaching. Tuition rates for eMajors are $199 per credit hour. You must submit transcripts and test scores along with your application.
76%
$ 4,371
69%
$15,426
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,687
- Institution Type
- Public
Clayton State University
- Morrow, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $170
Out-of-State | $170
Credits to Graduate: 120
At Clayton State University, you can major in supply chain management, psychology and human services, and government and law. While CSU offers most courses in a standard 16-week format, some courses follow a condensed 8-week format.
Online courses at CSU also vary in flexibility. Some will require you to attend scheduled online meetings, while others are asynchronous and allow you to complete them independently.Â
You don't need to submit standardized test scores with your application if you have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
86%
$ 4,064
65%
$14,786
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Students Enrolled
- 6,817
- Institution Type
- Public
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Savannah, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $914
Out-of-State | $914
Credits to Graduate: 120
Savannah College of Art and Design is an option for you if you're interested in applying fine arts to an increasingly digital world. There are 8 undergraduate majors available online. You can choose to study motion media design, game development, or dramatic writing.
Courses at SCAD are taught on a quarter system, and a normal academic year will have three quarters. You can transfer up to two years of college credits from another institution.
22%
$38,340
81%
$38,340
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Students Enrolled
- 15,636
- Institution Type
- Private
Valdosta State University
- Valdosta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $299
Out-of-State | $299
Credits to Graduate: 120
First founded in 1906 as a women's college, Valdosta State University got its current name in 1950 after becoming a coeducational institution.
The school offers 12 fully online undergraduate degrees. With an 8-week course format, you can finish your degree in less time, even with a part-time course load. Majors options include workforce education, criminal justice, and world languages like Spanish or French.
If you have a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher, you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application.
64%
$ 4,371
56%
$15,426
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,557
- Institution Type
- Public
Mercer University
- Macon, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $525
Out-of-State | $525
Credits to Graduate: 120
As a graduate of Mercer University, you'll join the ranks of Pulitzer Prize winners, New York Times best-selling authors, Hollywood screenwriters, and other notable alumni such as Nancy Grace.Â
At Mercer University, you can choose from a number of fully online bachelor's degrees, completion programs, and certificate programs such as database design, nursing, and supply chain management.Â
Some courses are available in an 8-week format. Bachelor's in education programs are available in a blended format, mixing synchronous and asynchronous online courses with some limited in-person attendance.
34%
$29,024
86%
$29,024
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,009
- Institution Type
- Private
Columbus State University
- Columbus, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $182
Out-of-State | $643
Credits to Graduate: 120Â
Columbus State University boasts a $247 million economic impact. For Georgia residents, there are 13 bachelor's programs to choose from, including finance, international business, and management information systems. Five of these programs are available in all U.S. states and territories.
To meet admissions requirements, you must have at least a 2.5 GPA for high school and meet SAT and ACT requirements. If you have a 3.0 or higher, the test score requirement is waived.
70%
$ 4,371
61%
$15,425
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 7,898
- Institution Type
- Public
Albany State University
- Albany, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $169
Out-of-State | $169
Credits to Graduate: 120
Albany State University offers 5 online bachelor's programs in subjects like management, nursing, and criminal justice. It also offers a number of associate and certificate programs that can be completed in less than one year. All students have the option to complete the first two years of their college experience online, thanks to ASU's eCore program.
To meet admission requirements, you must have a high school GPA of at least 2.0. Submit official test scores and transcripts with your application. If you don't submit test scores, you can be admitted to the school's access to pathway program.
72%
$ 4,064
65%
$14,786
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 6,297
- Institution Type
- Public
Middle Georgia State University
- Macon, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $114
Out-of-State | $114
Credits to Graduate: 120
Middle Georgia State University offers online certificate, associate, and bachelor's programs in aviation science, criminal justice, health services administration, and more. MGA Online offers most of its courses in an 8-week format, allowing you to complete your degree quickly even if you can't attend full-time.
To apply, you must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 and meet reading and math proficiency requirements through ACT, SAT, or other standardized tests.
72%
$ 2,728
55%
$10,075
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Students Enrolled
- 7,843
- Institution Type
- Public
Who Accredits Online Colleges in Georgia?
Accredited institutions meet academic standards and have been independently evaluated by accrediting associations, which assess factors such as educational outcomes and curriculum quality. This process gives you confidence in the value of your education. Employers and other postsecondary institutions also recognize accreditation as a vital component.
In Georgia, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional accreditor that certifies institutions to award degrees; however, schools in the state may also be accredited by other recognized agencies.
How Much Does College Cost in Georgia?
The figures above show that the typical Georgia college student pays a much lower tuition rate than the national average. However, some learners spend even less out of pocket, as the state’s HOPE Career Grant awards funding to Georgians preparing to work in one of 18 in-demand fields that include:
- Automotive technology
- Computer programming
- Health science
- Precision manufacturing
Students qualify for a HOPE Career Grant by holding U.S. citizenship and Georgia residency, meeting academic requirements, and registering with the Selective Service System, if applicable. Award amounts vary by field of study and number of credits attempted each semester.
Other state-sponsored financial aid programs for residents include the regular HOPE Grant and the Zell Miller Grant. Recipients can use this aid for any field of study leading to a college certificate or diploma. These grants use eligibility requirements resembling those of the HOPE Career Grant.
Career Opportunities in Georgia
$47,020
Median annual wage in GA (May 2024
+11%
Projected job growth in GA (2022-2032)
3.4%
Unemployment rate in GA (August 2025)
Although the typical worker earns slightly less than the U.S. median salary, high projected job growth and a lower-than-average unemployment rate suggest a strong economy with many open positions for recent graduates. Exploring in-demand careers can help you choose a college certificate, diploma, or degree.
Top professions for Georgians with only an associate degree or some college education include:
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Radiologic technologist
- Respiratory therapist
- Aircraft mechanic
- Service technician
These professions pay considerably more than the state’s median salary. College career advisors can help you explore these and related jobs.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Atlanta
- Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, and UPS all have their world headquarters in Atlanta.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranks as the United States’ #1 most-traveled airport.
- City residents enjoy a cost of living 4% lower than the national average, according to Payscale.
Agusta
- Augusta’s largest employment sectors include manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
- The Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center prepares service members for military and civilian cybersecurity careers.
- The city’s excellent transportation infrastructure makes it an attractive choice for logistics-based companies.
Savannah
- Since 1997, Savannah has invested heavily in technology-focused industries and careers.
- The Port of Savannah provides thousands of jobs and ships goods worldwide in under one month.
- The city features a robust film and television industry, with investment growing year over year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia is home to 10 HBCUs that include Albany State University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.
These institutions include a mix of public and private schools. The former offers residents the lowest per-credit tuition rate. African American students can further lower their cost of attendance by applying for UNCF scholarships, institutional aid, and federal grants.


