Attending college is a dream for many across Georgia. Overall, there are over 344,000 students in the University System of Georgia, so this dream becomes a reality for a significant portion of the population every year. The University System of Georgia does not include private schools, but it does factor in both graduate and undergraduate students.
The Peach State has one of the best and oldest University Systems in country. However, with rising costs of tuition across the United States, college is not worth it for everybody. For others, college provides an excellent educational opportunity, increased future earning potential, a lifetime of memories and meaningful social connections.
“For the 2022-2023 academic year, the College Board reports that full-time, in-state undergraduate students attending a public, four-year college pay an average of $27,940,” said Jennifer Calonia and Maddie Panzer. This factors in tuition, supplies, housing and more expenses, but please note that this number is just for one year.
There are six Division I schools in Georgia. Four schools (Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern) are members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and two are members of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Kennesaw State is joining the FBS in 2024-2025.
Here is the annual tuition for every Division I school in the Peach State in 2024. These numbers do not factor in any financial aid or additional cost of living expenses like housing or books.
(No. 6) Kennesaw State University
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Tuition: $19,630 (out-of-state); $5,562 (Georgia residents)
Total enrollment: 45,152 (2023)
Conference: Conference USA (joins in 2024-2025)
Founded: Oct. 9, 1963
(No. 5) Georgia Southern University
Syndication: Savannah Morning News
Tuition: $19,282 (out-of-state); $5,464 (Georgia residents)
Total enrollment: 26,106 (2023)
Conference: Sun Belt
Founded: 1906
(No. 4) Georgia State University
Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Tuition: $27,986 (out-of-state); $8,948 (Georgia residents)
Total enrollment: 50,521 (2023)
Conference: Sun Belt
Founded: 1913
(No. 3) University of Georgia
USA TODAY
Tuition: $30,220 (out-of-state); $11,180 (Georgia residents)
Total enrollment: 41,615 (2023)
Conference: SEC
Founded: 1785
(No. 2) Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Tuition: $32,940 (out-of-state); $10,770 (Georgia residents)
Total enrollment: 47,961 (2023)
Conference: ACC
Founded: 1885
(No. 1) Mercer University
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Tuition: $41,808 (Mercer is a private school, so there is no in-state tuition)
Total enrollment: 9,164 (2023)
Conference: Southern
Founded: 1833
USA TODAY evaluates if college is worth it
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