2023 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
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Online colleges in Georgia give students a wide array of choices. Distance learners can opt for degree programs from some of the largest schools in the state, such as the University of Georgia and Georgia State University, as well as small specialty schools, like Clayton State University.
Our rankings for online Georgia universities is exclusively for schools offering distance education degrees. View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU. You can also check out our list of Georgia community colleges or the best online colleges across the U.S. for additional inspiration.
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Online Programs You May Be Interested In
South University Online
Annual Tuition: $13,594 - $17,014
9 Programs (view all)
List Of Accredited Online Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State University | ||
| Middle Georgia State University | 1,852 | $11,389 |
| University of West Georgia | 1,350 | $17,450 |
| Truett McConnell University | 1,278 | $21,122 |
| Clayton State University | 1,153 | $16,260 |
| Valdosta State University | 1,107 | $17,638 |
| Georgia Southern University | 1,088 | $17,518 |
| Albany State University | 1,048 | $16,656 |
| Toccoa Falls College | 1,008 | $23,184 |
| Brenau University | 746 | $31,084 |
Kennesaw State University
- Annual Tuition: $12,888
- Locations: Kennesaw
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public institution and the third-largest university in Georgia. Among undergraduates, the acceptance rate is 83%, with a graduation rate of 48%. KSU has over 180 academic programs — from bachelor’s to doctoral programs.
At KSU, online students complete asynchronous and synchronous coursework on the learning management system (LMS) called D2L Brightspace. With 75 total undergraduate programs to choose from at KSU, it can be hard to narrow it down. They also offer a total of 15 bachelor's programs that are 100% online, including a Bachelor of Sciences in Cybersecurity, Political Science, and Psychology. Online students can access academic advising, career planning and development, the bookstore, student disability services, and an online library.
Middle Georgia State University
- Annual Tuition: $11,389
- Locations: Macon
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is a public institution that accepts 99% of applicants and has a 26% graduation rate. MGA offers continuous admissions, allowing students to enroll in online programs at any time. The university awards several associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. What makes MGA unique is that it offers accelerated degree options, including 8-week programs for those who want to graduate with a bachelor's fast.
Most of MGA’s online programs are delivered asynchronously and synchronously on the LMS, D2L Brightspace. MGA’s online programs range from a Bachelor of Science in Psychology to a Bachelor of Arts in English. Importantly, online students at MGA pay the same tuition for courses as residents of Georgia. Distance learners can also access academic advising, counseling, tutoring, and IT support.
University of West Georgia
- Annual Tuition: $17,450
- Locations: Carrollton
- Accreditation: SACS COC
University of West Georgia (UWG) is a public university. The university accepts 78% of undergraduate applicants and has a 47% graduation rate. UWG offers bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral degrees, endorsements, and certificates. UWG has 87 academic programs prospective students can choose from, which includes many fully online degree options at the bachelor's level.
UWG facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the LMS, CourseDen. Some of UWG’s 100% online degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics. Online student support consists of a writing center, academic advising, tutoring, counseling, and tech support.
Truett McConnell University
- Annual Tuition: $21,122
- Locations: Cleveland
- Accreditation: SACS COC
At Truett McConnell University — a private, nonprofit, and religious institution — prospective students can pursue 50 programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, which are all taught from a Christian worldview. However, Truett only offers four fully online bachelor's degrees: (1) a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, (2) a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, (3) a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and (4) a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Truett’s acceptance rate for undergraduates is 97%, but it still maintains a 40% graduation rate.
Truett students complete online coursework via D2L Brightspace. Truett’s online students can access coaching, counseling, career development services, tech support, and tutoring. They also have an online program consultant to help with any questions or concerns students might have about their online degree programs.
Clayton State University
- Annual Tuition: $16,260
- Locations: Morrow
- Accreditation: SACS COC
Clayton State University is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 69% and a 40% graduation rate. Clayton offers over 100 degrees, majors, and certificates for future students to choose from, including 41 fully online undergraduate programs.
At Clayton, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously via D2L Brightspace, an LMS that provides discussion forums with peers, guidance from instructors, and a place to receive and submit assignments. The university’s online programs range from a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Online students can also access academic advising, tutoring, coaching, a writer’s studio, and tech support.
Overview of Online Colleges in Georgia
Georgia was the first state in the nation to fund a public university, and today, Georgia boasts a total of 111 public and private colleges and technical schools. The University System of Georgia alone is made up of 26 public institutions that range from smaller state colleges to larger comprehensive and research universities. Nine of the state's universities are HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities), which include Albany State University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, and 22 schools are technical colleges that provide vocational training. Most of these institutions are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which assures students they're getting a quality education. Accreditation is also an important factor when qualifying for financial aid, transferring credits to another school, and applying to graduate school.
A significant number of these schools offer fully online programs, enabling Georgia's college students to earn online degrees at all levels in a broad array of subjects. Distance education has both advantages and disadvantages, however, so students should carefully consider these programs before enrolling.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is flexibility. Coursework for online classes can usually be completed at any time each week, but students have to manage their schedules effectively to stay on track with assignments.
A potential drawback, however, is the inability to connect with peers and faculty in person, which may require online students to put more effort into establishing relationships and building professional networks.
For college options in other locations, view OnlineU's best online college rankings by state or best online colleges by degree level.
Scholarship Options
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships: The CBCF offers eight scholarship programs for Black students in Georgia and other states. The programs have different eligibility criteria and award amounts ranging from $1,250-$20,000.
Greenhouse Scholars Program: Open only to high school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA in Georgia and four other states, the Greenhouse Scholars Program is a renewable award of up to $5,000 a year.
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Program: Each year, this program grants up to $2,000 to more than 10,000 Christian female students enrolled at select colleges in Georgia and eight other Southern states.
Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarships: High school and undergraduate college students who are residents of select counties in Georgia and South Carolina may be eligible for these annual scholarships of $3,000-$5,000.
Cost of Online Georgia Colleges
The median annual tuition fee for the colleges on our list is $6,701. We studied 846 schools across the country and found that the median annual tuition rate for online bachelor's degrees is $13,919.
Not only do online programs eliminate expenses associated with on-campus housing and transportation, they often feature lower tuition rates. Non-resident students in particular may benefit from choosing distance education, as many colleges charge online tuition rates that are lower than their out-of-state student tuition rates. Two examples of schools with affordable tuition rates are Dalton State College and the College of Coastal Georgia, which are tied at $3,204 on our list of the cheapest online colleges in Georgia.
Paths to Earning an Education for Free
Depending on their circumstances, some students may be able to go to college in Georgia for free, or at least tuition-free. For example, students enrolled in specific, high-demand majors, such as computer programming, may be eligible for HOPE grants that cover tuition costs. The state's dual enrollment program allows high school students to take up to 60 credit hours of college courses during their junior and senior years. Qualifying students do not pay for tuition, books, or additional fees. The state university system also allows residents over the age of 62 to attend college without paying tuition.
Check out our financial aid guide for online students. We also have student guides that list scholarship opportunities.
Careers in Georgia for Online Graduates
Georgia currently has a robust economy, ranking ninth in the nation by gross domestic product. Although the median annual household income is slightly lower than the national median — $58,700 as compared to $67,521 — the cost of living is also lower. Georgia's cost of living index is 93.4, below the national average of 100. Affordable housing, groceries, and healthcare contribute to this lower index rating. Helping to drive the state's economy are the 31% of adults age 25 and older who hold bachelor's degrees and the additional 8% who've earned associate degrees.
Amazon, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, and Emory Healthcare are among the organizations currently hiring, according to Burning Glass, a data analytics company.
College graduates are most likely to find jobs in the more populous cities, such as Atlanta and Savannah. Some of the largest employers include the U.S. military, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, UPS, and Coca-Cola. Amazon, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, and Emory Healthcare are among the organizations currently hiring, according to Burning Glass, a data analytics company. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that some of the most common professional occupations in the state are general and operations manager, accountant, and project manager, to name just a few. In the near future, the Georgia Department of Labor is projecting increasing demand for college-educated workers.
Interested in learning about employment outcomes for alumni of online programs? OnlineU studied ten popular online colleges across the country and found strong career results.
This website offers school details to prospective students as an informational resource. The appearance of a school listing on this website should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the school by this site.
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