University of Georgia

•  Athens, Georgia

Founded in 1785 as the first state-chartered, public college in the country, the University of Georgia is a picture-perfect campus with 759 acres of century-old trees, excellent examples of19th century architecture and plenty of green open spaces for its growing student population. The average first-year financial assistance package is $12,795 and typically consists of grants, scholarships and loans. Two merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen are the HOPE Scholarship Program (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) and the Zell Miller Scholarship Program. The Georgia HERO Scholarship (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) supports members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. military reservists or their children. Educational assistance is given to those who served in combat zones on or after May 3, 2005.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Georgia Southern University

•  Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia is a public research university and the largest higher education institution in Southern Georgia. Financial aid is awarded to 89% of full-time beginning undergraduates; 8% of these students receive institutional grants or scholarships. The average amount of institutional gift aid given to first-year, full-time students is $3,365. Freshmen admitted into the University Honors Program are considered for the full-tuition 1906 Scholarship. All freshmen with outstanding academic records can apply for the Presidential Scholarship, which provides 65 awards ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per year. The Georgia Southern Foundation Scholars Scholarship is also available to incoming freshmen and provides renewable awards of $1,500 to five students yearly.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

In Georgia, college students benefit from the ability to easily transfer completed college credits. The state offers a core curriculum, statewide common course numbering, and transferable associate’s degrees.

The University System of Georgia offers a core curriculum that covers six broad academic areas. Students who complete the core curriculum at a higher educational institution within the University System of Georgia will be able to transfer the credits to another institution within the system. They can receive full credit at all public two year and four year colleges and universities. However, students may not get full credit if they have changed majors or program of study.

Georgia college students benefit from statewide common course numbering. While each institution in Georgia has its own articulation guide, common course numbering makes it simple to identify equivalent courses that can be counted for credit. There is, however, an agreement between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia that allows students to transfer general education courses to any college or university within the University System of Georgia.

Fort Valley State University

FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Established in 1895 Fort Valley State University is a public HBCU and a member of both the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the University System of Georgia. As an HBCU, 91.5 percent of its student body is African-American. The school sends more African-Americans to dental and medical graduate programs than any other Georgia state school. FVSU enrolls more than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 50 degrees offered through its:

• College of Education
• College of Arts and Sciences,
• College of Agriculture, Family Sciences, and Technology.

The school is best known for its teaching and engineering programs, both of which prepare students to seek certification in their respective fields. Most notably, its Real Men Teach initiative recruits African-American males to pursue in-demand education careers.

In-State Tuition: $6,658
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,738
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 26 percent

Valdosta State University

VALDOSTA, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Valdosta State University is one of four institutions that make up the University System of Georgia. It enrolls more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. VSU offers affordable degree programs through five undergraduate colleges as well as a graduate school. Popular majors include:

• psychology
• journalism and communication
• education
• health professions
• business, management, and marketing

Most recently, VSU was approved to offer a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. VSU also offers a number of transition programs such as first-year learning communities to help incoming freshmen adjust to college life. In FLCs, 22 to 25 first-semester college students are linked together based on their area of residence, a particular theme, or the major they are pursuing . They are therefore able to connect over their shared love of:

• leadership
• the military
• education
• sports
• other common interests.

In-State Tuition: $6,410
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,196
Student/Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Graduation Rate: 37 percent

Savannah State University

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Savannah State University is the oldest HBCU in the state and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The school is comprised of:

• College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
• College of Business Administration
• College of Education
• College of Sciences and Technology,

The university offers affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees to more than 4,400 students each year. Some of SSU’s most popular majors include:

• political science and government
• journalism
• business administration and management
• biology and biological sciences
• protective services

It also offers programs in protective services such as:

• firefighting
• law enforcement
• homeland security

The school maintains small class sizes with a student/faculty ratio of 17:1.Many faculty members hold terminal degrees in their respective fields.

In-State Tuition: $5,743
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,204
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 28 percent

Georgia Gwinnett College

LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Established in 2006, Georgia Gwinnett College is a public college and a member of the University System of Georgia. From an initial enrollment of more than 100 students in 2006 to more than 12,000 in 2018, its student body has grown rapidly. GGC offers 17 low cost programs of study with more than 45 concentration options, including undergraduate degrees in:

• business administration
• cinema and media arts production
• education
• exercise science
• information technology
• human development and aging services
• nursing
• political science

Students may participate in more than 160 registered student associations and develop their skills in:

• assessment
• leadership
• project execution
• decision-making
• collaboration
• critical thinking
• communication.

In-State Tuition: $5,634
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,348
Student/Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 15 percent

Georgia Southwestern State University

AMERICUS, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Georgia Southwestern State University is a member of the University System of Georgia. It offers affordable undergraduate, graduate, and specialist degree programs. Established in 1906, GSSU is comprised of:

• School of Education
• School of Computing and Mathematics
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business Administration
• College of Nursing and Health Sciences

On-campus, online, and hybrid programs are available, allowing students to build their schedule according to their availability and individual needs. From honor societies to athletic teams to major-related groups and clubs, there is no shortage of student services and opportunities to connect with others.

In-State Tuition: $5,381
Out-of-State Tuition: $15,842
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 25 percent

University of North Georgia

DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA

Points: 5

The University of North Georgia is one of the newest institutions of higher learning in the state. It was established in 2013 when Gainesville State College merged with North Georgia College and State University. UNG enrolls more than 18,000 students pursuing affordable associate and bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 areas of study across its five campuses. Popular majors include:

• marketing
• psychology
• management
• nursing
• biology

As one of only six senior military colleges in the country, UNG is designated as The Military College of Georgia as well as a State Leadership Institution. UNG places a strong emphasis on service, integrity, and leadership. More than 750 students enroll as cadets.

In-State Tuition: $4,692
Out-of-State Tuition: $13,514
Student/Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduation Rate: 29 percent

Dalton State College

DALTON, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Dalton State College is a public college and one of 26 institutions that make up the University System of Georgia. Founded as a junior college in 1963, DSC became a four-year institution in 1998. The school enrolls more than 5,100 students each year. It offers affordable certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees through:

• Wright School of Business
• School of Education
• School of Liberal Arts
• School of Health Professions,
• School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics.

The college’s most popular degrees include:

• liberal arts
• nursing
• business administration and management
• teacher education,
• general biology.

In-State Tuition: $4,246
Out-of-State Tuition: $12,668
Student/Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Graduation Rate: 20 percent

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

TIFTON, GEORGIA

Points: 5

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a state college in the University System of Georgi. It offers inexpensive associate and bachelor’s degrees. It’s named after Abraham Baldwin, the first president of the University of Georgia and a signer of the U.S. Constitution from Georgia. ABAC is comprised of:

• the Stafford School of Business
• the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• the School of Arts and Sciences
• the School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Nursing is the single largest major at ABAC. Other popular programs include:

• natural resource management
• rural studies
• turf grass and golf course management
• diversified agriculture

Learning laboratories such as the Forest Lakes Golf Club and the J.G. Woodroof Farm enhance the academic curriculum.

In-State Tuition: $3,503
Out-of-State Tuition: $10,241
Student/Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Graduation Rate: 23 percent