How Many Colleges Does Georgia Have?

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Georgia is a southeastern state in the United States that was founded as the Province of Georgia in 1732. Georgia was the last state to be established as a part of the original 13 colonies. The state is famous for the gold rush that began there in the early 1800s. Its capital, Atlanta, has been ranked 9thmetropolitan area by population. It is also the location for the famous Georgia Guidestones. Let’s see, How Many Colleges Does Georgia Have?

How Many Colleges Does Georgia Have?

The State of Georgia comprises 128 universities and colleges. Fifty-three of these institutions are public. Of these 53, 26 are four-year colleges/universities, and 27 are two-year colleges. 36 of the 128 institutions are private and non-profit. There are 39 private, for-profit institutions. Armstrong Atlantic University, Columbus State University, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia are some of the four-year colleges in the state. Two-year colleges include Atlanta Technical College, Georgia Highlands College, and Southern Regional Technical College.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

  1. Albany State University: Albany State University is a HBCU in Albany, Georgia. The college possesses a strong history of being committed to the education of African Americans. It was founded as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute in 1907 and then morphed into a two-year college in 1917. Its four-year status was granted in 1943 and the school was renamed Albany State College before it was finally renamed Albany State University in 1996.
  2. Clayton State University: Originally referred to as the Clayton Junior College, Clayton State was established in 1969 and became a four-year educational institution in 1986, whence it adopted the name Clayton State College. It became Clayton State University in 2005. The university is grouped into a school – school of graduate studies and four colleges namely arts and sciences, business, health, information, and mathematical sciences, and graduate studies.
  3. Columbus State University: This university was established as Columbus College in 1958. It initially was a junior college but then relocated in 1963 and had a name change effected in 1965 and 1996 to its present name. the school is renowned for its business school but it also offers undergraduate courses to both Americans and foreigners alike and has become a favorite school for students from Asian countries.
  4. Georgia Institute of Technology: Georgia Tech is a research university and technology institute. Founded as the Georgia School of Technology in 1885, Georgia Tech has now been made into six colleges containing 31 departments or units with a focus on science and technology.
  5. Georgia Southern University: This university possesses one of the highest acceptance rates in the state of Georgia at 91%. Over 140 majors comprising bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are being offered at the university. Courses include biology, liberal arts, humanities, and nursing.
  6. Georgia Southwestern State University: Georgia Southwestern University began as the Third District Agricultural and Mechanical School in 1906 before it was finally admitted into the University System of Georgia alongside other state-funded higher education institutions in 1932. Academic degrees are offered via four colleges: arts and sciences, business and computing, education, and nursing/health sciences. Master’s degrees are also offered in courses such as computer science, education, business administration, and English.
  7. Georgia State University: Established in 1913, GSU is the largest higher education institution based in Georgia by enrolment. It is in the top 10 universities with the greatest number of students. GSU offers over 200 programs spread over 100 fields.
  8. Kennesaw State University: Kennesaw University has two campuses in the Atlantan metropolis. Utilizing local bonds and a space grant from the federal government, KSU was founded in 1963 during a period when Georgia was experiencing expansion.
  9. University of Georgia: The University of Georgia is situated in Athens, Georgia. It was founded in 1785. With an enrollment of over 27,000 students, the University of Georgia is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the U.S. the school is home to over 750 student organizations which include honor societies, academic associations, debate societies, cultural groups, fraternities, and volunteer groups. The school’s athletic teams have won over 40 national championships across various sports. Admission is competitive at the University of Georgia, with an acceptance rate of 48%.
  10. University of North Georgia: A result of the merging of State University (1873) and North Georgia College (1964) in 2013, the University of North Georgia has over 18,000 enrolled students, making it the sixth-largest public university in Georgia in terms of enrollment.
  11. Valdosta State University: The Valdosta State University has degree programs at associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university consists of Colleges of Arts, Business Administration, Education, Humanities, Nursing, and Mathematics. 

Two-Year Colleges in Georgia:

Listed below are some two-year colleges that can be found in Georgia:

  1. Albany Technical College
  2. Athens Technical College
  3. Bainbridge State College
  4. Coastal Pines Technical College
  5. Columbus Technical College
  6. Georgia Perimeter College
  7. North Georgia Technical College
  8. Southern Crescent Technical College
  9. West Georgia Technical College

Private, Non-profit Colleges in Georgia

This includes colleges that are financed by gifts, endowments, and tuitions and do not aim to generate profit. This includes:

  1. Emory University
  2. Mercer University
  3. Morris Brown University 
  4. Savannah College of Art and Design
  5. Spelman College
  6. South University

Private For-profit Colleges/Universities in Georgia

These institutions usually focus on vocational education. These schools receive no public funds but use their online courses to cater to older students. Examples include Savannah Law School and Bauder College.

Conclusion

Georgia has various world-class colleges and universities located within its geographical area. There are various reasons why students from the United States and the world flock to study in Georgia. The cost of living is reasonable compared to other states in the country, the state also has various fun-filled activities to partake in during your leisure time. Whatever you intend to achieve, Georgia has numerous community colleges, private and public four-year institutions, and also specialized schools to make your choice from.

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Is Georgia an expensive state to reside in? Aside from tuition, students should consider the local living cost. Georgia is a relatively cheap state to live in. Living cost in Georgia ranges between 3 to 7% lower than the U.S median. Asides from the capital, Atlanta, other cities in Georgia fall considerably lower than the U.S state median for the cost of living.
  2. Is Georgia a safe place to study? Georgia has been recently ranked the third safest state in the United States to study, behind only Massachusetts and Connecticut. This means you can be assured of your security while studying in Georgia.
  3. Is a language certificate required to study in Georgia? Universities have language requirements for international students. You should endeavor to reach out to the college or university you plan on applying to, to confirm if a language certificate is a requirement.
  4. What is the size of Atlanta? About 343m2 with a population of nearly 480,000. Atlanta is the major city and capital of the state of Georgia. A city’s size can have a huge impact on your educational experience. Some students might prefer the pace associated with large cities while others prefer a calmer metropolis.