Best colleges in Georgia
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Georgia60 schools
60 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Georgia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Georgia
- Value grade A- · Top 15%
- 91% graduate
- 2
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for earnings
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
- 94% graduate
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA · Public#10 in Georgia
- Value grade B · Top 41%
- 64% graduate
- 11
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA · Private nonprofit#11 in Georgia
- Value grade C+
- 69% graduate
- 12
Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit#12 in Georgia
- Value grade B · Top 50%
- 54% graduate
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 43% graduate
- 18
Thomas University
Thomasville, GA · Private nonprofit#18 in Georgia
- Value grade B · Top 46%
- 28% graduate
- 19
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public#19 in Georgia
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 55% graduate
- 20
- 21
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA · PublicTop 15% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 11%
- 37% graduate
- 22Tie
Georgia Military College
Milledgeville, GA · PublicTop 4% for low debt
- Value grade B · Top 36%
- 38% graduate
- 22Tie
- 24
- 25
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University | $22,585 | $18,250 | $80,137 | 91% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | $12,116 | $21,672 | $102,772 | 94% |
| University of Georgia | $13,936 | $18,500 | $68,726 | 90% |
| Spelman College | $38,967 | $25,000 | $59,993 | 78% |
| Covenant College | $26,265 | $22,500 | $50,412 | 71% |
| Agnes Scott College | $24,754 | $26,749 | $56,274 | 71% |
| Mercer University | $23,847 | $24,199 | $58,354 | 70% |
| Berry College | $22,320 | $23,250 | $53,800 | 69% |
| Morehouse College | $39,013 | $25,000 | $52,889 | 59% |
| Georgia College & State University | $20,686 | $22,250 | $58,140 | 64% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | $49,430 | $25,148 | $45,954 | 69% |
| Oglethorpe University | $19,509 | $25,000 | $55,232 | 54% |
| Georgia State University | $15,931 | $20,903 | $47,384 | 53% |
| Kennesaw State University | $15,048 | $23,833 | $57,552 | 52% |
| Wesleyan College | $12,724 | $24,094 | $44,317 | 45% |
| Dalton State College | $5,012 | $12,937 | $40,251 | 25% |
| University of West Georgia | $12,786 | $23,970 | $49,587 | 43% |
| Thomas University | $18,499 | $21,198 | $49,716 | 28% |
| Georgia Southern University | $15,267 | $23,250 | $53,236 | 55% |
| Augusta University | $13,787 | $20,500 | $48,472 | 49% |
| University of North Georgia | $9,823 | $17,750 | $50,135 | 37% |
| Georgia Military College | $16,923 | $8,563 | $39,257 | 38% |
| Piedmont University | $20,599 | $25,000 | $49,130 | 47% |
| Point University | $25,335 | $25,250 | $38,740 | 34% |
| Albany State University | $11,898 | $25,024 | $40,674 | 31% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3