Top 20 Best Online Colleges in Georgia

This article continues our series of best online colleges by state. In this ranking, we have examined online colleges in Georgia and rated the 20 best schools, as listed below.

We have chosen only colleges and universities located in Georgia that offer fully online degree programs to help you in your school search.  

This article is ideal if you are interested in attending an online Georgia college. We discuss the programs offered, student resources, and other unique factors that make these schools the best online colleges in Georgia. Each college on our list is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

See Also: Which Online Colleges in Georgia are Accredited?

Methodology for the Best Online Accredited Colleges in GA

We have used two statistics as our ranking criteria for online accredited colleges in Georgia. They include each school’s Freshman retention and graduation rates combined for an overall score. However, each college on our list is worth looking into. 

The figures used come from the National Center for Education Statistics. In cases where two or more schools were tied for a spot in this top 20 list, they are ordered by the school offering the lowest tuition first. Please note that tuition costs are based on in-state tuition per academic year. Out-of-state and online tuition may vary. 

We also referred to our own ranking of the top 100 best online colleges while conducting our school search for the best online colleges in Georgia.

If you’re ready to find one of the best online colleges in GA, keep reading!

Best Online Colleges Georgia

Ranking the Top Online Colleges GA

#20 Luther Rice College and Seminary

Luther Rice College and Seminary is located in Lithonia, Georgia. With just over 1,300 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, it’s one of the best small online colleges in Georgia. Luther Rice is a Christian college initially affiliated with the Baptist Church. The school’s mission is to serve the church and the community by providing a biblically-based education. 

The school offers a variety of degree programs for both undergraduate students and graduate students. Plus, there are several certificate programs to choose from. 

Luther Rice also offers all of its programs on campus or online. Students in the bachelor’s and master’s programs do not need to attend in-person sessions for any portion of their studies. However, the Doctor of Ministry program does require students to come to campus for four week-long courses.

Programs include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a major in Biblical Studies. (Minors for this program include 
• Biblical Counseling, Christian Worldview, or Ministry.)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Apologetics
• Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
• Master of Arts in Christian Studies
• Master of Arts in Leadership
• Master of Arts in Ministry
• Master of Divinity

Luther Rice also offers two online doctoral programs:

• Doctor of Ministry
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership

The school’s resources for online learners are excellent. Online courses are delivered through Blackboard. And students can access them on any internet-enabled device, including mobile. In addition, students will have access to several major online reference libraries. Other resources include counseling services, tutoring assistance, career services, and more. Prospective students unsure about attending online classes can view a sample course online and try it out at no charge.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $9,088

#19 Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University is a public research university established in 1906. The school is located in Americus, Georgia, and is a member of the University System of Georgia. The student population of Georgia Southwestern State University is just under 2,500.

GSW has a wide range of programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Plus, they offer several professional certificate programs. Many of these degrees and certificate programs are available in an online and asynchronous format. Some of the programs are available through various partnerships with other local colleges.

The online degrees for undergraduate students include:

• BA in Accounting
• BA in Human Resources
• BA in Management
• BA in Marketing 
• Criminal Justice
• Long-term Care Management
• Early Childhood Education
• Nursing (RN-BSN)

The online programs for graduate students at GSW include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Computer Science
• Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Nursing – Nurse Educator
• Nursing – Nursing Leadership
• Nursing – Informatics

The courses all have convenient online formats. In addition, they are asynchronous, so you can complete your studies from anywhere and access course materials 24/7.

GSW’s Prior Learning Assessment program (PLA) allows prospective students to earn credit for past experiences. For example, they may earn academic credit based on job training, military experience, and other factors. With this program, you can often reduce the time it takes to earn your degree. You can avoid repeating irrelevant classes you’ve already mastered with proper documentation. 

The average in-state tuition for bachelor’s programs at GSW is affordable at $5,464. In addition, remote students are eligible to apply for grants, scholarships, and federal financial aid. The school’s low tuition and high-quality programming make it one of the best online colleges in Georgia. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $5,464

#18 Albany State University

Albany State University is a nationally-ranked Historically Black University (HBCU) founded in 1903. Located in Albany, Georgia, the University offers online bachelor’s, and master’s levels. They also have a handful of online associate degree programs. The school is part of the University System of Georgia.

Students can complete their core courses through a program called e-core. E-core courses are transferable to all colleges and schools in the state college system. They are entirely online and offered in 16 and 8-week formats. Additionally, students in the e-core program get free digital textbooks and other no-cost resources. 

ASU offers eight online associate degrees and six online bachelor’s degrees. The bachelor’s programs include:

• Criminal Justice
• Management
• Management Information Systems and Technology
• Nursing RN to BSN
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology

Additionally, Albany State offers eight master’s degree programs, including:

• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Counselor Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Leadership Tier I
• Special Education
• Nursing
• Social Work

ASU has many excellent resources for on-campus and remote students. For example, the school offers several health and wellness services, counseling, and a pantry for food and personal items. Additionally, they have some excellent carer and personal development services. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission to Albany State. 

All students at Albany State are assigned a personal advisor. This person will lead and support you from freshman year until graduation. They are there to ensure students can achieve their academic goals and have access to all the resources they need for success. For this reason, we rank Albany State University as one of the best online colleges in Georgia. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $6,053

See Also: What Institutions are an HBCUs in Georgia? 

#17 Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private, not-for-profit religious liberal arts college in Young Harris, Georgia. Despite being such a small and rural institution, the school has had a significant impact on Georgia’s economy. Young Harris College has approximately 1,200 total enrolled students and about 70 academic faculty members. And it is one of the best online colleges in Georgia. 

One of the unique aspects of YHC is its Early College Program. It allows Georgia high school students who plan to attend college to get a jump-start on their degree. These students can take free college courses and earn transferable college credits. Those same credits can count toward completing their high school diploma. The State of Georgia pays for tuition, books, and fees for this program.

Classes are taught by the same leading faculty members that teach on campus. 

Some of the available online courses include:

• Fundamentals of Economics
• Composition I
• American History I and II
• College Algebra
• American Government
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Elementary Spanish I
• Introduction to Public Speaking
• Composition and Literature
• Precalculus
• World Religions

Young Harris College also offers one graduate online degree program. It’s a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) that students can complete in just three semesters. It is offered online in real-time, so it is not asynchronous. However, you can participate from any location. You can even come to campus for the classes from time to time if you choose. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $29,962

#16 Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University is one of the bigger colleges on our list of the best GA accredited online colleges and schools. Commonly called VSU, it is located in Valdosta, Georgia, and was initially established in 1906. The school has five separate colleges and serves around 12,000 students each year. In addition, Valdosta has been ranked in U.S. News & World Report as having some of the nation’s best online programs. 

Students at Valdosta can choose from online bachelor’s degrees in:

• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice
• Elementary Education
• French (World Languages and Cultures Track)
• General Business
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Management
• Office Administration and Technology
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Spanish (World Languages and Cultures Track)
• Workforce Education and Development

Some of the graduate degree programs at VSU include:

• Curriculum and Instruction/Accomplished Teaching
• Education Leadership
• Elementary Education
• English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Health and Physical Education
• Healthcare Administration
• Instructional Technology
• Leadership
• Library and Information Science
• Public Administration

Students can access online classes at VSU through the BlazeVIEW or GoVIEW learning management systems. The college’s Academic Support Center provides some excellent online student services. These include tutoring, workshops, and supplemental instruction. 

Additionally, students can visit the Center for E-Learning for other help and support they need. The Center provides constant tech support for all students, whether online or on campus. This excellent support makes it one of the best accredited online colleges in GA.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $6,583

#15 Brenau University

Brenau University is a private, not-for-profit liberal arts university in Gainesville, Georgia. The University was initially established in 1878 as a women’s college. Brenau University began its first online courses in 2002. And today, the school offers dozens of fully online asynchronous degree programs. They have bachelor’s, and master’s online degrees. Plus, they provide several Doctor of Education programs and a few associate degree programs.

The online bachelor’s degree programs at Brenau include:

• Communication and Media Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Accounting
• Business
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Marketing
• Elementary Education
• Health Care Administration
• Psychology

There are over 50 online graduate programs at Brenau, more than we can list in this article. However, one of the most popular graduate programs is the Master of Business Administration degree.

With this MBA, students can choose from a wide range of concentrations, depending on their personal and career goals. Those concentrations include:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Communication Management
• Finance
• General Business
• Health Care Management
• Human Resources Management
• Management
• Marketing
• Mediation & Conflict Resolution
• Non-Profit Leadership
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking & Innovation

Students in the online programs at Brenau receive the same excellent quality instruction as those on campus. In addition, the school has a low 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, so all students can be assured of getting personalized instruction. This makes it one of the best accredited online colleges in Georgia.

Courses are offered through the Canvas learning management system. They are presented in acceleration seven-week sessions. Students can log in to Canvas and complete their studies when and where it is convenient. 

All online students at Brenau University are considered full-time. This makes them eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Each student also has their own financial aid counselor. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $32,530

#14 LaGrange College

LaGrange College is a private, not-for-profit liberal arts college in LaGrange, Georgia. It’s one of the best small online colleges in the state, serving under 1,000 students. LaGrange has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. And that means the school’s students get lots of personalized attention to help them with their studies. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Lagrange currently offers one bachelor’s program. It is the RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. They also have an online Master’s in Education program. However, LaGrande also offers many stand-alone courses in several different areas of study. So students can often complete their degree programs at least partially online. 

Students at LaGrande have access to a wide range of resources, including:

• Counseling
• Career Development 
• Academic Support 
• Writing Center 
• Tutoring Center
• Tech Support
• The Lewis Library

Online and on-campus students can apply for financial assistance. And over 99 percent of students at the college receive some time of financial aid. The school’s federal work-study program even has opportunities off campus with community service organizations. 

U.S. News and World Report has ranked LaGrange College as one of the top 10 “Best Value” colleges among Southern region schools. Additionally, the college is an award-winner in campus sustainability, something it continually strives to improve. These factors make LaGrange one of the best online colleges in Georgia.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $32,840

#13 Toccoa Falls College

Toccoa Falls College is a private nonprofit Christian-affiliated liberal arts college. It is located near the beautiful Toccoa Falls waterfall in Georgia. TFC has a student population of around 750, yet they offer a wide range of online programs. This variety earns them a spot on our list of the top online colleges in Georgia.

Toccoa Falls is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school offers programs for graduate and undergraduate students that can be completed entirely online. The featured online programs include:

Associate Degree Programs Include:

• Business Administrations
• General Studies
• Criminal Justice

Bachelor’s Degrees Online:

• Business Administration
• Counseling in Ministry
• Counseling Psychology
• Criminal Justice
• General Studies
• History
• Ministry Leadership
• Nonprofit Business Administration
• Organizational Leadership
• Social Work
• Sport Management
• Youth Ministry

Graduate Degrees Online:

• Counseling Ministries
• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Organizational Leadership

Most students take two online courses every eight weeks in the fall and spring semesters. Then, they take two during the summer semester. Check-ins are required for online classes. 

There are many services for online students at TFC. For example, all students are assigned an academic advisor to help them plan their schedules. And professional counseling and IT support are also available. Additionally, students are assigned an online librarian and can access tutoring services. 

Online students are welcome to take part in any on-campus special events. For example, they can visit the chapel and participate in the school’s activities. Online students are also encouraged to join clubs and outreach services. Study-abroad opportunities may also be available. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $21,490

#12 University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia, also known as UWG, is a public doctoral-granting research university. It is located in Carrollton, Georgia, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. UWG is one of the larger schools on our list, with a student population of about 13,500. West Georgia offers its students a selection of undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and certificate programs.

The school also has a wide range of online degree programs. Depending on the required courses, they can be accessed fully online or in a hybrid (blended) format. Some of the featured online programs include:

Online Bachelor’s Degrees at UWG

• Accounting
• Economics
• Educational Leadership Specialist
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Small Business Management
• Marketing
• Music Education
• Computing

Online Graduate Degrees at UWG

• Applied Computer Science
• Criminology
• Elementary Education Specialist
• Instructional Technology, Media & Design
• Management Information Systems
• Nursing Education
• Political Science
• Business Administration

UWG has a wide range of student services that students can access on campus and online. They include career help, tech support, academic advising, a computer lab, and more. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $6,521

#11 Ogeechee Technical College

Ogeechee Technical College is a public two-year technical college in Statesboro, Georgia. Established in 1987, it is home to around 3,000 students. It is known for its vast range of hands-on programs that help meet the needs of today’s workforce. Students at Ogeechee benefit from one-on-one instruction, small class sizes, and state-of-the-art technology.

OCT also has many online degree programs to choose from. Some areas of interest include:

• Accounting
• Business Management
• Business Technology
• Computer Information Systems
• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Health Information Management Technology
• Radiologic Technology
• Technical Studies

The school also has a vast range of standalone classes to choose from. Students can use these classes to complete the requirements for a degree program at any college accepting credits from OTC. This allows them to complete their core classes at a more affordable rate. This affordability makes it one of the top online colleges in Georgia. 

Prospective students considering attending OTC can undergo a free career assessment. The school’s career counselors will spend time helping you find a program that meets your personal and academic goals. Ogeechee has many other services for online students as well. They include counseling services, tutoring, financial aid, and more. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $3,140

#10 Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a large public research university in Kennesaw, Georgia. The university is divided into thirteen colleges and boasts a student population of over 35,000. This school has a considerable amount of online programs, making it one of the top online colleges in Georgia.

Online students can choose from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Plus, there are many endorsements and certificate programs offered online. We won’t list all the online programs in this write-up. But here are some of the most popular options:

Bachelor’s Online Programs at KSU

• Business Administration
• Information Technology
• Cybersecurity
• Industrial Engineering Technology
• Manufacturing Operations
• Supply Chain Logistics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Computer Game Design and Development
• Software Engineering

Master’s Online Programs at KSU

• Educational Leadership
• Instructional Technology
• Art and Design
• Engineering Management
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• International Policy Management

Doctoral Online Programs at KSU

• Education with a major in Instructional Technology
• Education with a major in Teacher Leadership
• Secondary and Middle Grades Education

KSU offers all the same services to online students they would receive on campus. That includes counseling, technical support tutoring, and library resources. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $6,436

#9 Piedmont University

Piedmont University is a private, not-for-profit comprehensive liberal arts college. Established in 1897, the school sits on over 300 acres at the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge mountains. It is one of the best small online Georgia colleges on our list, with a student population of just 2,300.

Piedmont is academically organized into four schools:

• School of Arts and Sciences
• School of Education
• Harry W. Walker School of Business
• R.H. Daniel School of Nursing & Health Sciences

Through these schools, students can pursue a vast range of academic programs. Additionally, Piedmont offers two online undergraduate degree programs:

• Criminal Justice
• Business Administration

The online programs are only for non-residential Piedmont students with at least 30 hours of college credits. The Business Administration program is particularly popular. Students can choose from a Digital Marketing or management concentration. The program is designed with an entrepreneurial focus and a global perspective.

A unique aspect of this program is that it offers study-abroad opportunities. This includes the possibility of a semester at the University of Nottingham in England. Federal financial aid is available. 

Piedmont also has several online master’s degrees to choose from. These include:

• Elementary Education
• Gifted Education
• Middle Grades Education
• Professional Counseling
• Secondary Education
• Special Education

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $28,340

#8 Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University was founded in 1906 in Statesboro, Georgia. Over 20,000 students attend GS, and the school offers over 140 degree programs at all levels. The list of online programs is also impressive, making it one of the best colleges in Georgia. And it includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in many areas of study. 

Georgia Southern University students can opt for fully online degrees or hybrid programs. The school uses a collaborative Learning Management System called GoVIEW. Through GoVIEW, students can access their courses and lessons from anywhere in the world. Some of the most popular undergraduate featured online programs include:

• World Languages and Cultures
• Health Sciences
• Business
• Nonprofit Management
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Sociology
• Writing
• Information Technology 
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Nursing
• Public Health

GS also offers even more online Graduate programs. They include master’s and doctoral degrees, endorsements, and certificate programs. Some of the most popular master’s degrees at Georgia Southern include:

• Health and Physical Education
• Curriculum & Instruction – Accomplished Teaching
• Educational Leadership
• Evaluation, Assessment, Research, and Learning
• Higher Education Administration
• Instructional Technology
• Public Health
• Accounting
• Economics
• Nursing

Georgia Southern University is a public land-grant research university. And it is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral Research University with a Very High Research Activity rating. In addition, it has been named one of the Top 20 Most Popular Universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $6,485

#7 Georgia State University

Georgia State University is a public research university is located in downtown Atlanta. Commonly referred to as Georgia State, it was founded in 1913 and has a student population of over 32,000. It is one of four research universities in the state college system. And it is also the largest college in the University System of Georgia.

The University comprises ten academic schools offering a massive catalog of degrees and majors. GSU offers both traditional on-campus and distance learning programs. And they also have many professional certification programs.

Fully online undergraduate degrees at Georgia State include:

• Criminal Justice
• Dental Hygiene
• Finance
• Hospitality Administration
• Management Business Analytics
• Marketing
• Nursing
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Social Work

Online master’s degrees at the University include:

• Actuarial Science
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Educational Research
• Elementary Education
• Health and Physical Education
• Health Informatics
• Health Promotion and Behavior
• Nutrition
• Instructional Design and Technology
• Nursing
• Political Science

Georgia State’s online degrees are taught by the same instructors who teach on campus. And students will earn the same diploma. Some programs may require students to attend in-person testing or orientation. There are many excellent resources for online students at Georgia State. These include counseling, tutoring, and career services. We’ve ranked Georgia State as number seven in our list of the best online colleges in Georgia.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $9,286

#6 Georgia College and State University

Georgia College and State University is a public liberal arts college in Milledgeville, Georgia. GCSU was initially established in 1889. And it is a member of the University System of Georgia. The school has more than 6,000 students enrolled. 

GSCU has a myriad of academic programs which span all academic levels. These include undergraduate, graduate, and professional certification programs. There are dozens of majors to choose from. The school also has four of the best online graduate programs nationwide. They include:

• Music Education  
• Music Therapy
• Criminal Justice
• Public Administration

If you are a nontraditional older student, Georgia College offers an excellent program for those 62 and older. If you are a legal resident of the state, you can enroll in undergraduate courses at no charge. You will still need to pay for books and other fees, but there is no charge for tuition. 

Over 80 percent of undergraduate students at Georgia College receive some form of financial aid. This can include grants, scholarships, and Federal financial assistance. Online students are eligible, too, so you’ll want to take advantage of those financial resources.

GSCU has a variety of support programs in place for its on-campus and online students. These include:

• Academic Advising
• IT Support
• Career Center
• Student Health Services
• Disability Resource Center
• Library

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $9,524

#5 Savannah College of Art and Design

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit art college in Savannah. Georgia. In addition to the Savannah campus, SCAD maintains satellite campuses in several other parts of the world. The College was established in 1978 to provide degree programs not previously available in southeast Georgia.

Today, Savannah College of Art and Design has around 10,000 students across several schools. These include:

• School of Building Arts
• School of Communication Arts
• School of Design
• School of Fashion
• School of Entertainment Arts
• School of Digital Media
• School of Foundation Studies
• School of Fine Arts
• School of Liberal Arts

SCADnow is the College’s online learning platform. It streams courses and connects students with their peers and professionals. The same world-class instructors teach courses both online and on campus. Depending on the program, students may earn a degree entirely online or through a blended format. The online programs at Savannah College of Art and Design include:

• Advertising
• Animation
• Business of Beauty and Fragrance
• Creative Business Leadership
• Design for Sustainability
• Design Management
• Dramatic Writing
• Fashion
• Fashion Marketing and Management
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Interactive Design and Game Development
• Interior Design
• Luxury and Brand Management
• Motion Media Design
• Painting
• Photography
• Preservation Design
• Sequential Art
• Service Design
• Social Strategy and Management
• Writing

In addition to the online majors, students can choose to add one of over a dozen online minors. They serve to help students set themselves apart by developing cross-disciplinary skills. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $38,840

#4 Berry College

Berry College is a private, nonprofit Christain liberal arts college. The school is located in Mount Berry, Georgia, on a 27,000-acre campus. The college has around 2,200 students a boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. Which makes it one of the best online colleges in Georgia for this article. 

Berry College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are over 75 areas of study, plus many pre-professional programs. Some of the school’s most popular majors include:

• Animal Science
• Art Education
• Computer Science
• Creative Technologies
• Dance
• Data Analytics
• Digital Storytelling
• Education
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Environmental Science
• Exercise Science
• Filmmaking and Cinematic Arts
• International Business
• Legal Studies
• Musical Theatre
• Nursing
• Religion
• Sports Administration
• Women’s and Gender Studies

Berry Colege does not offer its degree programs online. However, students can take online courses during the summer semesters. These courses are offered through Viking Web, the school’s online learning management system. 

The college is a member institution of the Annapolis Group. Annapolis Group is an organization that boasts more than 120 liberal arts colleges and schools nationwide. These member institutions work together to promote a greater understanding of liberal arts education. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $38,656

#3 Mercer University

Mercer University was founded in 1833. located in Macon, Georgia, Mercer is a private research university and home to around 8,600 students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 1:13, it’s number three on our list of the best colleges in Georgia. Mercer University offers a wide selection of on-campus undergraduate and graduate programs. And they have an impressive list of online programs as well. Some of the most popular undergraduate online programs at Mercer include:

• Digital Media Communication
• General Business
• Health Informatics
• Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Human Resource Management
• Human Services
• Information Technology and Informatics
• Management
• Nursing
• Organizational Communication 
• Organizational Leadership
• Public Relations.
• Software Application Development and Human-Computer Interaction
• Supply Chain Management
• Marketing

Additionally, Mercer has a great selection of graduate degree programs. A few of these include:

• Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Christian Ministry 
• Leadership 
• Doctor of Public Health
• Diverse Populations and Health Equity 
• Elementary Education 
• Health Informatics 
• Health Outcomes 
• Healthcare Leadership – Organizational Leadership 
• Public Health 
• Middle Grades Education 
• Nursing Ph.D. 
• Software Engineering 
• Software Systems 
• Technical Communication Management 

Students can take 100 percent online classes or opt for a hybrid format depending on the program. Regardless of the format, Mercer’s online programs provide students with the same level of quality offered on campus. Courses are offered through the Canvas online learning management system.

Although online students may be anywhere in the world, they are never without support from Mercer. The school offers counseling, health insurance, academic support, and many other resources. 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $38,746

#2 University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public land-grant, sea-grant, sun-grant, and space-grant research university. Located in Athens, the school is known as the birthplace of the American public higher education system. Established in 1785, it was the first state state-chartered university in the nation. 

UGA has one online undergraduate program. It is a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Special Education. (B.S.Ed.). This degree completion program can lead to certification in Special Education in Georgia.

However, the school offers 21 online graduate programs. All of them are excellent. But some of the unique online master’s degrees include:

• Journalism & Mass Communication, Emerging Media
• Avian Health and Medicine
• Business and Technology
• Educational Psychology, Applied Cognition & Development
• Educational Psychology, Gifted & Creative Education
• Learning, Design & Technology, Instructional Design 
• Workforce Education
• Food Technology
• Learning, Leadership & Organization Development
• Music Education 
• Comparative Biomedical Sciences
• Financial Planning
• Foods and Nutrition, Community Nutrition
• Pharmacy, International Biomedical Regulatory Sciences

Students in UGA’s online programs utilize e-Learning Commons. This is the university’s learning management system. It serves as the online classroom for online education. Here, students will access lectures, course materials, assignments, and more. In addition, remote students have a wide range of support services designed to help them meet their academic and personal goals. Some of these include:

• Academic Advising
• Financial Advising
• Disability Resources
• Financial Aid
• Grants & Scholarships
• Peer Tutoring
• Academic Coaching
• Career Center
• Virtual Career Fairs and Networking 
• Library
• Mentor Program
• Counseling and Psychiatric Services
• Wellness Coaching

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $12,068

#1 Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology takes the number one spot in our review of the best colleges in Georgia. Georgia Tech is a public space-grant research university located in Atlanta. Established in 1885, it was created as part of the reconstruction plans in the post-Civil War Southern United States. Today, the college is home to nearly 27,000 students. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Georgia Tech as a Research University with a very high research activity rating. Georgia Tech is organized into six colleges and schools:

• College of Computing
• College of Design
• College of Engineering
• College of Sciences
• Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
• Scheller College of Business

Through these colleges and schools, Georgia Tech offers a wide selection of degree-granting programs. And the school offers 13 online and hybrid master’s degree programs. They include:

Online Professional Master’s Degrees:

• Applied Systems Engineering
• Manufacturing Leadership
• Occupational Safety and Health

Online Master of Science Degrees: 

• Aerospace Engineering
• Analytics
• Computational Science and Engineering
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Operations Research

Online students at Georgia Tech have 24/7 access to their coursework. They can log in and watch online lectures, participate in discussion boards, complete assignments, and more. Interaction with classmates and faculty occurs virtually. Many online students choose to travel to Atlanta to participate in commencement ceremonies. 

Students in the Online Professional Master’s Degrees program will have a hybrid format. They must commit to three week-long residencies on the main campus in Atlanta. Each program consists of ten courses taken one at a time. Finally, all students will complete a capstone course to apply their learned skills.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Tuition: $12,852

More About Education in Georgia

Georgia is home to over 250 colleges, universities, and technical colleges. That includes public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit schools. Among Georgia’s various public universities is the flagship research university, the University of Georgia. The University System of Georgia is the presiding government body over public education in the state.

Why Enroll in One of the Top Online Universities in Georgia?

Online education is quickly becoming the most popular way to earn a college degree. It’s convenient, flexible, and ideal for both traditional and nontraditional students. In addition, online degree programs are suitable for busy working students. They allow them to maintain their careers while earning additional skills.

As you can see from our list of the best online colleges in Georgia, the state’s schools offer a massive range of online programs. In most cases, these programs allow students to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from anywhere in the world. And if you live in Georgia, you can design your own blended program to meet your scheduling needs. Students in these hybrid programs can attend some of their classes on campus and complete other courses online. It’s a win/win for professionals who have other obligations.

Related: Can I get an Online Degree in Georgia if I’m from Out-of-State?

Resources For Accredited Online Colleges Georgia

Georgia offers learners so many resources to succeed. And many of these resources are free and open to anyone, not just college students.

Georgia’s E-Core Program

The e-core program is a collaboration of 21 colleges within the University System of Georgia. Many of the schools on our list of the top Georgia online colleges offer e-core. Essentially, students at any of the participating schools can take their core classes through the online e-core system. The credits are then transferable to any member college.

The e-core courses are entirely online and offered in eight and 16-week formats. All online courses include free digital textbooks and other no-cost resources. It’s a great way to save money on your college education in Georgia!

For Your School Search: Georgia On My Line Website 

The Georgia On My Line site (GOML) allows students to find information about all University System of Georgia colleges. It is ideal for conducting a school search of any of the participating colleges. For example, you can do a school search for specialized degree programs. Or you can conduct a school search for colleges that offer perks like Credit for Prior Learning.

USG Learning Everywhere

The University System also offers USG Learning Everywhere. This collection of tools and programs offers free continuing education to all residents of Georgia. Some of these resources include:

• Free Online College Courses
• Free and Open Digital Textbooks
• Tuition Waivers for Students 62 and Over
• Digital Library of Georgia
• Business Development Training and Webinars

Attending College in Georgia Is More Affordable

Georgia is more affordable than the national average for tuition. For example, the average national college tuition is as follows:

In-state Students: $6,673 

Out-of-State Students: $17,800

However, in Georgia, the average cost is around $1,000 less per academic year:

In-state Students: $5,056 

Out-of-State Students: $16,247

Of course, there are also many opportunities to save even more on your tuition. For example, students should look into federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants. These assistance programs can significantly lower the cost of a college education. So when conducting your school search, be sure to consider your eligibility for financial aid. That school you think you can’t afford might be cheaper than you think.

The HOPE Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship stands for Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally. It was created in 1993 under the supervision of the then-Governor of Georgia, Zell Miller. It is the state’s unique scholarship and grant program. The HOPE Scholarship is funded entirely with revenue generated from the sale of Georgia Lottery tickets. The Scholarship is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

The Scholarship is available to all Georgia residents who have a high school diploma. And it is also available for those who have earned a General Educational Development certificate. The scholarship is entirely merit-based, and recipients must maintain a 3.2 or greater grade point average. It is for students attending a public college or university in Georgia.

What Does SACSCOC Stand For?

SACSCOC stands for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

This organization is the regional accrediting body for colleges in 11 Southern US states. It serves as a common denominator or shared practices and values among colleges in those states. Accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges means many things. But most importantly, it ensures that you’re attending a school with high-quality instruction and academics. Our list of online colleges in Georgia accredited by SACSCOC is just what you need to get started!