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Colleges in and near Atlanta

Atlanta is home to 14 colleges, with about 95,000 students on campus

Georgia State University (30,368 students on campus) and Georgia Institute of Technology (27,011) are inside the city. About 12% of Atlanta’s residents are enrolled in college, above Georgia (6%).

Clark Atlanta UniversityMorehouse CollegeSpelman CollegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia State UniversityGeorgia State University-Perimeter CollegeAtlanta Technical CollegeEmory University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Atlanta. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
29
115,120 students on campus
Nearest college
1.1 mi
Morris Brown College
Residents in college
12%
Above GA (6%)
Nearest community college
2.2 mi
Georgia State University-Perimeter College · $3,104 tuition
Nearest public university
1.7 mi
Georgia Institute of Technology · $12,058 in-state
Median household income
$86K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Atlanta

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Eight colleges within 5.9 milesClark Atlanta University admits 64% of applicants; Morehouse College admits 44%; Spelman College admits 25%. Together they have 92,321 students on campus.In-state price at Georgia Institute of TechnologyLiving in Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology charges $12,058 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $34,484. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 2.2 miles awayGeorgia State University-Perimeter College in Atlanta: tuition and fees $3,104 a year for Georgia residents.Students are 12% of residentsAbove Georgia (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Atlanta

21 private colleges within 14.4 miles, four public colleges within 12.9 miles, and five community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miGeorgia StateGeorgia Institute of TechnologyEmory UniversityAtlanta
University or collegeCommunity college
Morris Brown CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 112 on campus · In Atlanta · mostly online$25knet price25%graduate67% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Clark Atlanta UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,990 on campus · In Atlanta64%admitted$38knet price49%graduate$43kearningsMorehouse CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,425 on campus · In Atlanta44%admitted$39knet price59%graduate$53kearningsSpelman CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,585 on campus · In Atlanta25%admitted$39knet price78%graduate$60kearningsMorehouse School of MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 746 on campus · In AtlantaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Georgia Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Public · 27,011 on campus · In Atlanta14%admitted$12knet price94%graduate$103kearningsAtlanta's John Marshall Law SchoolUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 350 on campus · In AtlantaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Herzing University-AtlantaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 268 on campus · In Atlanta · mostly online94%admitted$22knet price14%graduate$37kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Earnings are reported for all 11 campuses that file with it.Georgia State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 30,368 on campus · In Atlanta55%admitted$16knet price53%graduate$47kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeCommunity college · Public · 9,537 on campus · In Atlanta91%admitted$11knet price22%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $3,104 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Earnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Atlanta Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,157 on campus · In Atlanta$-1knet price49%graduate$30kearningsTuition and fees: $3,382 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Atlanta Metropolitan State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 667 on campus · In Atlanta · mostly online$5knet price17%graduate$33kearnings57% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Beulah Heights UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 215 on campus · In Atlanta33%graduate$35kearningsEmory UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 14,248 on campus · In Atlanta11%admitted$23knet price91%graduate$80kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Agnes Scott CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,046 on campus · 7.3 mi · Decatur62%admitted$25knet price71%graduate$56kearningsColumbia Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 133 on campus · 8.1 mi · DecaturGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Oglethorpe UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,521 on campus · 9.3 mi · Atlanta88%admitted$20knet price54%graduate$55kearningsLincoln College of Technology-MariettaUniversity or college · For-profit · 438 on campus · 10.4 mi · Marietta$31knet price64%graduate$32kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Interactive College of Technology-ChambleeUniversity or college · For-profit · 529 on campus · 10.9 mi · Chamblee$16knet price37%graduate$27kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Georgia Piedmont Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,730 on campus · 11 mi · Clarkston$14knet price44%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $3,386 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Chamberlain University-GeorgiaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,383 on campus · 11.1 mi · Sandy Springs91%admitted$33knet price50%graduate$92kearningsEarnings are reported for all 15 campuses that file with it.Fortis College-SmyrnaUniversity or college · For-profit · 488 on campus · 11.7 mi · Smyrna$24knet price59%graduate$36kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.Gwinnett College-Marietta CampusUniversity or college · For-profit · 168 on campus · 11.9 mi · Marietta$34knet price31%graduate$25kearningsGwinnett College-Sandy SpringsUniversity or college · For-profit · 114 on campus · 12.3 mi · Sandy Springs$34knet price67%graduate$31kearningsClayton State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 3,593 on campus · 12.9 mi · Morrow68%admitted$8knet price40%graduate$49kearningsLife UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,459 on campus · 12.9 mi · Marietta93%admitted$30knet price38%graduate$47kearningsChattahoochee Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,539 on campus · 13.7 mi · Marietta$3knet price38%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $3,540 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Interactive College of Technology-MorrowUniversity or college · For-profit · 113 on campus · 14.2 mi · Morrow$17knet price41%graduate$27kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Gupton Jones College of Funeral ServiceCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 187 on campus · 14.4 mi · Decatur · mostly online$29knet price75%graduate$43kearnings59% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $20,950 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Atlanta’s median household income ($85,652) falls.

Atlanta Technical CollegeIn Atlanta · sticker $9,197 · tuition $3,382$5,413a year
Chattahoochee Technical College13.7 mi · Marietta · sticker $12,532 · tuition $3,540$7,410a year
Atlanta Metropolitan State CollegeIn Atlanta · mostly online · sticker $11,740$10,270a year
Clayton State University12.9 mi · Morrow · sticker $17,415$12,095a year
Emory UniversityIn Atlanta · sticker $83,622$13,821a year
Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee10.9 mi · Chamblee · sticker $22,064$14,669a year
Georgia Institute of TechnologyIn Atlanta · sticker $28,167$15,088a year
Georgia Piedmont Technical College11 mi · Clarkston · sticker $21,274 · tuition $3,386$15,467a year
Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeIn Atlanta · sticker $17,608 · tuition $3,104$15,622a year
Georgia State UniversityIn Atlanta · sticker $28,241$19,390a year
Interactive College of Technology-Morrow14.2 mi · Morrow · sticker $22,961$21,126a year
Oglethorpe University9.3 mi · Atlanta · sticker $60,581$23,924a year
Agnes Scott College7.3 mi · Decatur · sticker $63,283$25,194a year
Morris Brown CollegeIn Atlanta · mostly online · sticker $31,968$31,968a year
Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta10.4 mi · Marietta · sticker $35,543$33,291a year
Life University12.9 mi · Marietta · sticker $41,295$33,995a year
Chamberlain University-Georgia11.1 mi · Sandy Springs · sticker $38,272$38,272a year
Spelman CollegeIn Atlanta · sticker $50,952$38,640a year
Clark Atlanta UniversityIn Atlanta · sticker $43,676$39,514a year
Morehouse CollegeIn Atlanta · sticker $51,433$41,179a year
Herzing University-AtlantaIn Atlanta · mostly online · sticker $27,007—a year
Fortis College-Smyrna11.7 mi · Smyrna · sticker $31,288—a year
Gwinnett College-Marietta Campus11.9 mi · Marietta · sticker $37,328—a year
Gwinnett College-Sandy Springs12.3 mi · Sandy Springs · sticker $37,004—a year
Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service14.4 mi · Decatur · mostly online · sticker $31,921 · tuition $20,950—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Atlanta: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Clark Atlanta UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia StateGeorgia State University-Perimeter CollegeEmory UniversityChattahoochee Technical College
Georgia State University53% graduate$47k earnings*$21k typical debt
Georgia Institute of Technology94% graduate$103k earnings$22k typical debt
Emory University91% graduate$80k earnings*$18k typical debt
Georgia State University-Perimeter College22% graduate$47k earnings*$21k typical debt
Chattahoochee Technical College38% graduate$37k earnings
Clark Atlanta University49% graduate$43k earnings$27k typical debt
Clayton State University40% graduate$49k earnings$26k typical debt
Spelman College78% graduate$60k earnings$25k typical debt
Life University38% graduate$47k earnings$17k typical debt
Morehouse College59% graduate$53k earnings$25k typical debt
Atlanta Technical College49% graduate$30k earnings$10k typical debt
Georgia Piedmont Technical College44% graduate$35k earnings$13k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Herzing University-Atlanta (11); Georgia State (2); Georgia State University-Perimeter College (2); Emory University (2); Lincoln College of Technology-Marietta (6); Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee (4); Chamberlain University-Georgia (15); Fortis College-Smyrna (5); Interactive College of Technology-Morrow (4).

Majors

What students study in Atlanta

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Atlanta’s 9 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 17%Business 15%Computer science 13%Engineering 10%Biology 6%Psychology 5%Everything else 35%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesGeorgia State University-Perimeter College · 1,917 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralGeorgia Institute of Technology · 1,070 graduates a year
$151k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralGeorgia State University · 495 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherGeorgia State University · 454 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Mechanical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology · 437 graduates a year
$100k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsEmory University · 422 graduates a year
$137k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralGeorgia State University · 358 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Computer ScienceGeorgia State University · 357 graduates a year
$101k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating. Left out: Morris Brown College, Herzing University-Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, where most students study only online.

Questions about college in Atlanta

Is Atlanta a college town?

No. About 12 of every 100 Atlanta residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Georgia (6). The largest campus in the city, Georgia State University, has 30,368 students on campus.

What colleges are in Atlanta?

Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Georgia State University-Perimeter College and 10 more are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Atlanta, and what does it cost?

Georgia State University-Perimeter College in Atlanta, 2.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,104 a year for Georgia residents; the federal net price, $11,453, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Georgia Institute of Technology cost if we live in Georgia?

Tuition and fees are $12,058 a year in-state and $34,484 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,666 (under $30,000 income) to $17,396 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Atlanta. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →