Georgia has led the charge in integrating and promoting online education at the postsecondary level. With initiatives like GeorgiaVIEW, GeorgiaONmyLINE, and several state-sponsored online degrees, the state has innovated and pushed the boundaries of distance learning. Consider its sterling membership in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and you may have the top state to pursue a college education remotely.
Before looking at the best online colleges in Georgia for 2023, explore higher education in Georgia and the organizations shaping online education in the state with this helpful guide.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Georgia
A Brief Overview of Online Schools in Georgia
Georgia hosts 27 public four-year learning institutions, 23 public two-year institutions, 36 nonprofit four-year institutions, and 21 for-profit institutions. In 2021, there were 544,354 students enrolled at degree-granting postsecondary institutions, a 3% rise from 2015. Georgia's many programs allow students to narrow their research and attend programs that align with their goals.[dataviz-stats public="50" non-profit="36" for-profit="11"]In-state and out-of-state tuition typically varies at universities across the United States. Out-of-state students often see double or triple the tuition rates of in-state students. Currently, the average tuition for four-year in-state students in Georgia is $7,632. According to CollegeBoard, Georgia is the only state where the average in-state tuition and fees at public universities fell by 20% since 2018.Georgia also gives the second-highest grant aid per full-time student and allocates the funds regardless of students' financial status. In 2021, Georgia students received $914,043,808 in grant financial aid without a need component.The price difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition often deters non-residents from enrolling in programs outside their state. However, with the various financial aid opportunities available, students can often still afford the difference. After filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility, learners can subtract this number from their tuition to determine if enrolling is affordable.
Higher Education in Georgia
The State of Online Higher Education in Georgia
Students can consider many accredited online colleges in Georgia. Noting enrollment trends is a great way for students to understand the state's available online programs. In 2019, 37.5% of Georgia's students enrolled in at least one online course, with 16.9% taking exclusively online classes. Of the exclusively online students, 73% were Georgia residents, 19% were from other states, and 8% lived in other countries.Georgia ONmyLINE is a database of online courses and programs offered through the 29 accredited higher learning institutions in Georgia's university system. Students ready to begin their online degrees or courses can access Georgia ONmyLINE to review important information on credit hours, tuition rates, and technical requirements.The course database allows students to search thousands of online courses based on term, subject area, institution, degree level, and enrollment status. Georgia also offers a similar resource for learners seeking MBAs. Six schools in Georgia's university system collaborate to offer the Georgia WebMBA program.
Best Online Colleges in Georgia
The following section includes rankings of the best online four-year programs in Georgia. Our profiles cover how schools approach accredited online education and list the services for distance students and their popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in GA, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in Georgia or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
College Graduate Outlook in Georgia
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Students who are not Georgia residents can take advantage of reciprocity agreements and other tuition breaks. For example, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), a coalition of higher education institutions in 15 southeastern states, allows non-resident learners in specialized fields to pay in-state tuition rates.Sometimes called the "Academic Common Market," this program does not offer merit-based aid but instead allows students to pursue degrees not offered at public institutions in their home states — at a more affordable cost. The SREB keeps a record of qualifying programs but does not provide funds for learners pursuing their first professional doctorates. Georgia residents may take advantage of similar agreements in other states.At some Georgia-based universities, residents of nearby states pay in-state tuition. For example, Georgia Southern University offers the Border State Waiver to Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee residents enrolled on one of three campuses.
Job Opportunities in Georgia for College Graduates
As one of the most populous states in the U.S., Georgia offers a growing economy, beautiful natural settings, and excellent internet and transportation infrastructures. Atlanta, the state's capital, is home to the headquarters of companies like Aflac, Home Depot, UPS, and Coca-Cola. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport.In February 2024,the Bureau of Labor Statistics placed Georgia's unemployment rate at 3.1%. The Georgia Department of Labor found that workers with bachelor's degrees earned an annual average of $51,206, while individuals with high school diplomas earned $27,915, and those with less education averaged $18,734.The fastest-growing industries in Georgia include aviation, healthcare, and engineering. As the country's fifth-largest exporter of aerospace products, this industry continues to expand. The state is home to 800 aerospace companies producing $9.2 billion in state exports. Georgia's fast-growing population of older adults helps explain its burgeoning healthcare industry.