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2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Georgia

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 9/18/2023

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Georgia has two distinct community college systems — the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia. Technical colleges are designed to train graduates to enter the workforce with associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas, while two-year schools in the university system allow students to complete general education requirements before transferring to four-year universities, including those offering online degrees in Georgia

Our ranking list below highlights some of Georgia's best online community colleges. View our methodology for more details about our list or learn more about OnlineU

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#1 Georgia Northwestern Technical College

  • Salary Score: 63
  • Online Enrollment: 1,766
  • Locations: Rome (and 3 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC), a public college, has a strong online offering featuring 15 associate degrees and dozens of certificates and diplomas. Some online associate degrees include healthcare management, accounting, business management, criminal justice technology, and web design. Delivered through the Blackboard learning platform, GNTC online courses may be asynchronous, synchronous, or blended, meaning students must come to campus for some learning activities. Prospective students may want to take a self-assessment to help determine whether they're good candidates for online learning.

GNTC online students are eligible for all types of financial aid, including scholarships provided by the government or by the school itself. They also have access to student services such as career counseling and online tutoring.

#2 Chattahoochee Technical College

  • Salary Score: 61
  • Online Enrollment: 1,605
  • Locations: Marietta (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Through Chattahoochee Technical College, which is a public institution, students can earn one of several online associate degrees. Areas of study include business management, marketing management, business technology, accounting, supply chain management, criminal justice, early childhood education, and drafting. These associate degrees typically require the completion of 62-64 credit hours, and students access their online courses through the Blackboard learning management system (LMS).

Chattahoochee Tech accepts all applicants with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Online students are eligible for financial aid provided by the federal and state governments. They also have access to student services, such as academic advising and counseling.

#3 Lanier Technical College

  • Salary Score: 60
  • Online Enrollment: 554
  • Locations: Oakwood (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Lanier Technical College (LTC) in rural Gainsville, Georgia is a public institution offering online associate degrees in order to help prepare students either to enter the workforce or transfer to four-year institutions. Of all the students at LTC, 17% enroll in distance-only education. Online degrees are available in fields such as business, computer programming, criminal justice, cybersecurity, emergency management, and fire science technology. It generally takes full-time students two years to finish their degree programs. Lanier has an open enrollment policy and accepts all applicants, while 40% of students end up graduating.

LTC utilizes the Blackboard learning management system to deliver online programming. It has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students may apply for scholarships through the Lanier Tech Foundation to help offset college costs. In addition to online degrees, LTC also offers numerous non-degree-granting certificates and diplomas in many of the same areas of study mentioned above.

#4 West Georgia Technical College

  • Salary Score: 56
  • Online Enrollment: 1,338
  • Locations: Waco
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

At the publicly operated West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), students can choose to earn one of seven online associate degrees or a number of other certificates and diplomas. One of the school's most notable programs is the associate degree in accounting, but online learners can also study fire science, business technology, cybersecurity, and more. WGTC has an open admissions policy, and 31% of students graduate on average.

Blackboard is WGTC's learning management system, which students can use to access their coursework virtually. Online students also have access to the school's tutoring and career services, and all students are eligible for government-provided financial aid.

#5 Atlanta Technical College

  • Salary Score: 46
  • Online Enrollment: 776
  • Locations: Atlanta
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) in the state's capital is a public, predominantly Black two-year institution offering online associate degrees. Just over half of ATC students attend solely online. They enroll in notable programs, such as health information management technology, nursing, civil engineering, criminal justice technology, and early childhood education. These online programs help prepare students for job market entry and transfer to four-year universities. Through its open admission policy, ATC accepts all applicants, and 35% of students graduate.

ATC distance learners use Blackboard to access online coursework and instruction. It's a small college with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes for individualized instruction. As a predominantly Black institution, 85% of students and 88% of faculty identify as African American. The ATC Foundation offers over a dozen scholarships to help create greater access to higher education for Black students and others traditionally marginalized.

#6 Gwinnett Technical College

  • Salary Score: 46
  • Online Enrollment: 1,351
  • Locations: Lawrenceville (and 1 other)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) is a public institution offering seven online associate degrees along with online certificates and diplomas. Computer programming is one of the school's more popular options, but online students may also be interested in studying cybersecurity, computer networking, or business technology. Gwinnett Tech accepts all applicants and maintains a 33% graduation rate.

Students use the Blackboard learning platform to access course materials and engage in online learning activities. The school provides career services, counseling, and library resources for online students. Additionally, all students are eligible for federal and state financial aid.

#7 Southern Crescent Technical College

  • Salary Score: 45
  • Online Enrollment: 898
  • Locations: Griffin (and 5 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Southern Crescent Technical College (SC Tech) is a public college that has been designated as a predominantly Black institution. The school offers 38 online associate degrees as well as certificates and diplomas. Students can choose to study accounting, business technology, business management, early childhood care and education, public safety, and more. Online courses are delivered through the Blackboard learning management system. SC Tech accept 100% of applicants, and 34% of enrolled students graduate on average.

In addition to government financial aid, the school funds a select number of scholarships. Online students can take advantage of services, such as tutoring, technical support, academic advising, and career services.

#8 Georgia Piedmont Technical College

  • Salary Score: 43
  • Online Enrollment: 903
  • Locations: Clarkston
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

The state-run Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) has been designated a predominantly Black institution. In addition to diplomas and certificates, the school offers 14 online associate degrees that typically require the completion of 60-61 credit hours. The associate in accounting program is one of the school's top-ranking programs, but students can also study business management, computer programming, criminal justice, design and media production, and more. GPTC accepts all students who apply, and it maintains a 34% graduation rate.

At GPTC, online learners use the Blackboard system to view lectures and readings, submit assignments, and participate in class discussions with classmates and instructors.

#9 Central Georgia Technical College

  • Salary Score: 29
  • Online Enrollment: 2,047
  • Locations: Macon (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), a public college that has been designated as a predominantly Black institution, has a 41% graduation rate. In addition to a variety of diplomas and certificates, students can choose one of 13 online associate degree programs in subjects such as accounting, business management, marketing, cybersecurity, logistics, and web design. These associate degrees require the completion of 60-72 credit hours, which most full-time students complete in two years. CGTC uses the Blackboard learning platform for its online courses.

CGTC accepts nearly all applicants. Online students are eligible for federal and state financial aid, and they also have access to free online business skills training in time management, business etiquette, goal setting, and more.

#10 Georgia Military College

  • Salary Score: 26
  • Online Enrollment: 2,456
  • Locations: Milledgeville
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Georgia Military College (GMC) is a military-friendly public college that has been designated as a predominantly Black institution. The school offers 19 online associate degrees and five online bachelor's degrees. Associate degree seekers can choose to study pre-nursing, cybersecurity, business administration, criminal justice, and social work, among many other options. These degrees typically require 70-73 quarter hours, and the school's accelerated courses, delivered through the Moodle platform, allow students to earn their associate degree in one to two years.

GMC has an open admissions policy that accepts all applicants with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Online students can take advantage of services such as a dedicated veterans benefits office, online tutoring, and 24/7 online library access.

#11 Georgia State University - Perimeter College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 3,545
  • Locations: Decatur
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Georgia State University - Perimeter College (GSUPC) is a two-year, public, predominantly Black institution also serving the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander populations. Just under half of GSUPC students enroll exclusively online. GSUPC offers several online associate degrees in fields such as business administration, criminal justice, education, kinesiology and health, and sport management. It generally takes full-time students two years to finish these 60-credit programs. GSUPC has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admission policy, and 13% of students graduate, which is significantly lower than average.

GSUPC uses iCollege for online curriculum delivery to distance learners. It has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small classes to support its students in reaching their goals. GSUPC is known for being diverse and has served its community for over 50 years.

#12 Albany Technical College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 1,430
  • Locations: Albany
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

At Albany Technical College, students can select from 13 online associate degrees, as well as online certificates and diplomas. Some of the possible areas of study include business management, e-commerce, marketing management, operations management, and health information technology. This public college has a graduation rate of 40%, and most students complete their associate degree in 18-24 months. Albany Tech uses the Blackboard LMS to deliver its online courses.

All Albany Tech students can apply for financial aid, which may include federal and state support and eight additional scholarships funded by the college. Online students may also take advantage of support services such as the Academic Achievement Center and the Career Development Center.

#13 Georgia Highlands College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 1,032
  • Locations: Rome
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Georgia Highlands College, a public institution, offers online degrees that include 18 associate degrees and six bachelor's degrees. Associate degrees typically require 60-62 credit hours, while bachelor's degrees often require 120-124 credit hours. This school is also highly ranked on our lists of the most affordable dental hygiene programs and criminal justice programs. Perhaps due to its 100% acceptance rate, it has a fairly low graduation rate of 22%.

Online students access their courses through the Brightspace learning platform. The school provides advising, tutoring, counseling, and tech support services for all students. Online learners may also be interested in the school's study abroad programs. Also, all Georgia Highlands students are eligible for government-sponsored financial aid as well as school-sponsored scholarships.

#14 Southeastern Technical College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 432
  • Locations: Vidalia (and 1 other)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Vidalia's Southeastern Technical College (STC) is a public, two-year institution offering a limited selection of online associate degrees. It also provides several non-degree-granting diplomas and technical certificates of credits to help build skills to meet employer demands. According to federal data, 34% of STC students enroll in distance-only education. Some notable degrees include business healthcare technology, criminal justice technology, and cybersecurity. Online degree programs take full-time students about two years to complete. STC accepts all applicants with its open admission policy, and 46% of students graduate with degrees.

STC uses Blackboard as its learning management system for online instruction. It's a small school with a 9:1 student-to faculty-ratio resulting in very small class sizes. STC is affordable, with an average annual cost of $6,400, about 80% less than it costs to attend similar schools.

#15 Ogeechee Technical College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 421
  • Locations: Statesboro
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) in Statesboro is a public, two-year institution offering select online associate degrees. A little over a quarter of OTC students participate in online-only education. Online degrees are available in accounting, business management, business technology, computer information systems, criminal justice, health information management technology, and technical studies. Certificates and diplomas are also available in these areas of study for students who want to build job skills and aren't interested in earning degrees. OTC accepts all applicants and has a 48% student graduation rate.

OTC students access the school's online curriculum via Blackboard. It's a small college with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which helps educators provide individualized instruction. Online student services include tech support, career services, academic advising, and tutoring.

#16 Columbus Technical College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 344
  • Locations: Columbus
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Predominantly Black Columbus Technical College (CTC) is a public, two-year institution offering a limited number of online associate degrees. About one-third of CTC students are distance learners. Majors include general studies, accounting, business technology, computer support specialist, information technology, logistics and supply chain management, business management, human resources management, and paralegal studies. CTC has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admission policy, and 27% of students graduate with degrees.

The Blackboard learning management system makes online learning accessible to CTC students. CTC is a small college of approximately 3,000 students and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Distance learners have the same access to student support services as their on-campus peers. This includes advisement, tutoring, the library, the bookstore, and the CARE Center, which assists students throughout their time at CTC.

#17 Oconee Fall Line Technical College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 330
  • Locations: Sandersville
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) in rural Sanderville is a public, predominantly Black, two-year institution offering online associate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs. In terms of distance education, 30% of students attend solely online. Some online associate degrees include business management, computer support specialist, and criminal justice technology. Programs generally take full-time students two years to complete. To increase access to higher education, OFTC has an open admission policy and accepts all applicants, while 42% of students graduate.

Blackboard delivers online coursework and instruction to OFTC distance learners. OFTC has a low 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes. One of OFTC's goals is to provide the same student support services available to on-campus students to its distance learners. These services include academic advising, job placement, and career development.

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Overview of Online Colleges in Georgia

There were over half a million students enrolled in Georgia's higher education system in 2019, with almost 130,000 attending two-year colleges after high school. Georgia's online community colleges support the state's economy and workforce development by offering diplomas, certificates, technical skills development, and associate degree programs. Online community colleges may be an accessible way for students to balance multiple responsibilities, work within a tight budget, or live far from campus to further their education and expand employment opportunities. 

Eleven schools on our list belong to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), which offers students over 600 academic programs at various levels across multiple disciplines. According to the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute (GBPI), approximately 71% of TCSG students are enrolled part-time, and around one-third live in rural communities. These students — who are mostly female — often pursue associate degrees in liberal arts, nursing, and business administration.

Online associate degree programs generally take full-time students two years to complete and longer for those attending part time. While program lengths may vary, students generally need to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours to graduate with an online associate degree.

See our complete list of the best online community colleges across the U.S.

Tuition and Funding for Georgia Community Colleges

Georgia has one of the least expensive community college systems in the country — it's one of the top 10 most affordable states for in-state residents pursuing a two-year education.  The annual tuition of community college is $2,990 for Georgia residents and $8,330 for non-residents, as compared to the national averages of $3,400 and $8,210, respectively. The GBPI's Higher Education Data Book cited above describes how almost $4 billion in proceeds from the state's lottery supports TCSG through scholarships, loans, grants, and funding for dual enrollment, which helps keep costs lower for students.



Georgia has one of the least expensive community college systems in the country.

Additionally, online students often pay less for college than their on-campus peers, and students in Georgia are no exception. Many schools reduce tuition rates for distance learners or eliminate fees in an effort to alleviate some of the financial burden students may face while funding their continuing education.

Georgia has two programs that offer free community college tuition. The Georgia Quick Start program is a partnership between TCSG and Georgia employers to provide free training for jobs in the manufacturing, aviation, automotive, healthcare, business operations, distribution, and food industries. The program trains individuals in the relevant skills that help prepare them for employment within participating organizations. Similarly, the Hope Career Grant provides free adult education to those pursuing careers in 17 high-demand fields, including nursing, criminal justice, computer technology, and early childhood education. Degrees are available online and credits may also transfer to bachelor degree programs within the university system of Georgia. Students could also pursue several other options that may help them pay for community college in Georgia:

Federal financial aid may be available to students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may be eligible for grants, scholarships, and low-interest student loans. In fact, almost 40% of undergraduate college students in Georgia receive these loans.

Students can become Georgia residents to pay in-state tuition fees. To do so, they need to prove that they have established residency for 12 months immediately prior to the first day of classes.

Schools participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements charge discounted tuition rates for nonresident students enrolling in online programs that are unavailable in their home state.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission offers financial assistance through REACH Georgia, the Hero Scholarship, and several grants to help students pay for college

Careers After Online Community College in Georgia

Employment experts predict that by 2028, 10.9% of all Georgia jobs will require some postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate degree. Online associate degrees from Georgia's community colleges can help prepare students for jobs anywhere in the country and diverse careers across a broad range of Georgia's growing industries, including the top growth sector that accounts for over one-fifth of all new jobs in the state: healthcare and social assistance. Other leading industry sectors include food service, professional and business services, and administrative and support services. Top jobs in these industries requiring only an associate degree include the following:


A robust job market with skilled workers contributed to Georgia's low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of December 2021, less than the 3.9% national average.


Along with opportunities for career development, Georgia may be considered an affordable place to live.The cost of living index measures how far income goes towards living expenses, such as housing, food, healthcare, and transportation. For example, one survey measures the U.S. cost of living index at 100, with Georgia's index at 93.4, meaning salary goes a bit farther in Georgia than it may in other places across the country. It also costs slightly less to live in Georgia than neighboring Florida and North Carolina, but the cost of living is a bit more than in Tennessee or Alabama.

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