Online Degree Programs In Georgia

Georgia is home to industry giants like Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, First Data Corp and United Parcel Service. Year over year, Georgia is consistently positioned in the top 10 for the best state to do business by Forbes, CNBC and Site Selection. The state’s friendly business environment not only welcomes more companies to do business in Georgia but it can also open up a variety of job opportunities particularly to those who have a college credential.

According to a Georgetown University study, Georgia needs more than one million educated workers in the next few years to fill positions that require some college, a bachelor’s, master’s degree or higher. Read on to find out how an online degree program in Georgia can help you earn the credential you need to participate in this growing, education-dependent workforce.

Not only are degree holders likely to have a wider choice of job opportunities, they also statistically enjoy a higher income than high school graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, the median weekly earnings of adults over 25 with a bachelor’s degree ($1,156) were 67 percent higher than for those who only had a high school diploma ($692).

Another great reason to earn a degree through an online education program is that there’s growing demand by employers for more educated employees. The Center for Workforce Study at Georgetown University estimates that in Georgia, by 2020:

  • 65 percent of all jobs will require with a postsecondary education
  • 33 percent of all jobs will require some college, an associate degree, or postsecondary credential
  • 22 percent of all jobs will require a college degree
  • 10 percent of all jobs will require a master’s degree or higher

Those contemplating online degree programs in Georgia should also know about the high demand for workers in specific jobs and sectors. Companies that participated in the state governor’s High Demand Career Initiative identified 162 high-demand but difficult-to-fill positions. These jobs, such as mechanical and electrical engineers, software developers, computer programmers and business support roles (e.g., marketing, accounting and human resources) can be found in sectors such as:

  • Agriculture
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Defense
  • Film and television
  • Healthcare and life sciences
  • Information technology
  • Logistics and transportation
  • Manufacturing

Efforts To Increase College Graduates In Georgia

So how does Georgia plan to meet the need for a growing and skilled workforce? State officials developed the Complete College Georgia Initiative, which aims to add about 250,000 new graduates to the workforce by 2020. The goal is to have 60 percent of those in the age bracket of 25 to 34 years with a college degree.

In addition, the University System of Georgia works with the Technical College System to achieve the following goals that are part of Georgia’s Higher Education Completion Plan:

  • Increase academic readiness for college
  • Increase college access
  • Make college more affordable
  • Improve college completion rates
  • Improve the time taken to a complete a degree program

Here’s a glance at some of the specific services in place:

  • USG’s Adult Learning Consortium targets the needs of adult learners who have some college credit but who have not completed a degree.
  • USG’s eCore™ helps students complete general education courses online. Although not a full-fledged degree program, it covers courses typically required in the first two years of many degree programs and is designed for students who are just getting started in college or are returning after a pause in their education.
  • The military-focused Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center (VECTR) aims to help Georgia veterans transition to civilian life by earning a higher education credential. This includes helping translate military and civilian experience into potential college credits.

We’ve used data from the National Center for Education Statistics to calculate these top 10 colleges in Georgia. Our ranking methodology includes obvious factors like accreditation, enrollments in online degree programs in Georgia, graduation rates as well as placement services, and percentage of students awarded financial aid. We believe these 10 colleges present the best opportunities for online students. For more information on our methodology, please click on the methodology section below.

1
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA
https://www.westga.edu
Average in-state tuition
$4,264
No. of online programs
26
% of students in distance education
59%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,909
Admissions Rate
58%
Graduation Rate
42%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
2
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
https://www.brenau.edu
Average in-state tuition
$28,650
No. of online programs
41
% of students in distance education
60%
Avg. amount of Aid
$12,168
Admissions Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
43%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
3
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA
https://www.gcsu.edu/
Average in-state tuition
$7,324
No. of online programs
22
% of students in distance education
25%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,346
Admissions Rate
78%
Graduation Rate
64%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
4
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA
https://www.georgiasouthern.edu
Average in-state tuition
$4,264
No. of online programs
40
% of students in distance education
36%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,091
Admissions Rate
68%
Graduation Rate
50%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
5
Mercer University
Macon, GA
https://www.mercer.edu
Average in-state tuition
$24,822
No. of online programs
17
% of students in distance education
23%
Avg. amount of Aid
$22,228
Admissions Rate
72%
Graduation Rate
66%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
6
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
https://www.uga.edu
Average in-state tuition
$9,552
No. of online programs
27
% of students in distance education
12%
Avg. amount of Aid
$9,642
Admissions Rate
49%
Graduation Rate
86%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
7
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA
https://www.columbusstate.edu
Average in-state tuition
$4,264
No. of online programs
19
% of students in distance education
45%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,401
Admissions Rate
56%
Graduation Rate
37%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
8
Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus, GA
https://gsw.edu/0
Average in-state tuition
$3,965
No. of online programs
14
% of students in distance education
61%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,408
Admissions Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
29%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
9
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
https://www.gatech.edu
Average in-state tuition
$10,008
No. of online programs
2
% of students in distance education
32%
Avg. amount of Aid
$10,510
Admissions Rate
22%
Graduation Rate
87%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
10
Albany Technical College
Albany, GA
https://www.albanytech.edu
Average in-state tuition
$2,136
No. of online programs
25
% of students in distance education
68%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,649
Admissions Rate
N/A%
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
11
Shorter University
Rome, GA
Average in-state tuition
$21,940
No. of online programs
46
% of students in distance education
38%
Avg. amount of Aid
$13,455
Admissions Rate
56.516853932584
Graduation Rate
46
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
12
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
Average in-state tuition
$4,264
No. of online programs
28
% of students in distance education
51%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,825
Admissions Rate
62.604849778862
Graduation Rate
42
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
No
13
Albany State University
Albany, GA
Average in-state tuition
$3,965
No. of online programs
14
% of students in distance education
50%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,900
Admissions Rate
90.495968727095
Graduation Rate
19
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
14
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Average in-state tuition
$6,984
No. of online programs
7
% of students in distance education
27%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,823
Admissions Rate
71.372644971862
Graduation Rate
54
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
15
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Clarkston, GA
Average in-state tuition
$2,136
No. of online programs
45
% of students in distance education
53%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,093
Admissions Rate
N/A
Graduation Rate
N/A
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
16
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA
Average in-state tuition
$36,630
No. of online programs
18
% of students in distance education
19%
Avg. amount of Aid
$11,766
Admissions Rate
70.267350796651
Graduation Rate
68
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
17
LaGrange College
Lagrange, GA
Average in-state tuition
$30,170
No. of online programs
3
% of students in distance education
37%
Avg. amount of Aid
$22,179
Admissions Rate
48.180013236267
Graduation Rate
46
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
18
Clayton State University
Morrow, GA
Average in-state tuition
$3,965
No. of online programs
13
% of students in distance education
54%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,806
Admissions Rate
54.35663627153
Graduation Rate
30
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
19
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Average in-state tuition
$50,590
No. of online programs
0
% of students in distance education
9%
Avg. amount of Aid
$37,066
Admissions Rate
18.52026561196
Graduation Rate
90
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
20
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, GA
Average in-state tuition
$4,950
No. of online programs
6
% of students in distance education
4%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,689
Admissions Rate
61.268262356233
Graduation Rate
28
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Accreditation is an important factor when considering online degree programs, so make sure your target school is aligned with specific standards of quality. This list of top Georgia colleges that offer online degree programs has been compiled using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

Program Name
No. of online programs
Business Administration and Management, General
43
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
22
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
17
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
16
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
14
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science, General
13
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
13
Accounting
11
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
10
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
9

With over 120 Georgia colleges offering online degree programs — an abundance of options — take care to consider the accreditation of your desired degree program or college.

Regional accrediting bodies include Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) which requires distance education courses of member institutes to comply with its Principles of Accreditation. These Principles include guidelines for curriculum and instruction, faculty, institutional effectiveness, library and learning resources, student services, as well as facilities and finances.

Other accrediting bodies related to specific degree programs include:

  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • Georgia Professional Standards Commission
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

While accreditation is a good sign that the college you are considering meets acceptable standards of quality education, look for schools that continually strive to improve the success of their online degree programs. For instance, the Georgia Southern University has introduced the Center for Online Learning that trains and equips faculty to develop and deliver quality online course content. Another sign of greater commitment to the success of online education is when a college participates in Quality MattersTM, a program that helps colleges nation-wide create a scalable process for online course quality assurance.

When it comes to choosing a school, Georgia ONmyLINE offers information on the online degree programs within the state’s USG system. Their online portal integrates access and enrollment to all online and distance education offered by the system’s 30 universities and colleges. The site features a wide range of online degree programs and courses, including those for students who desire to learn in nontraditional, flexible formats, such as compressed sessions that have multiple start-stop dates and hybrid formats that include an on-campus element.

Whether you’re looking for an online program that’s part of the USG system or one of the many other online education programs in Georgia that offer online associate, bachelor’s or master’s programs, students need to consider whether this type of format would be a good fit for their needs. Darren Adamson, PhD, Chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Sciences at Northcentral University suggests that before signing up, students should make sure they are able to manage their time well. “It takes a unique focus to succeed in an online environment,” says Adamson. “Because many online programs do not have scheduled class periods, students must be able to schedule their own time to ‘go to class’ — work on school.”

Adamson also suggests that students prepare themselves to be deliberate with their social interactions in online programs. “Being in an online program can be lonely, so most online schools now have places to interact virtually,” he says. “Be ready to take advantage of those.”

According to Adamson, students seeking online degrees in Georgia should plan on thoroughly researching any program they’re interested in ahead of time in order to avoid any “surprises.” He also advises students that online education may not be as easy as it looks. “Online education may be convenient because you don’t have to be at a certain place at a certain time, but legitimate schools and programs develop curriculum that is challenging,” says Adamson. “You must plan to spend at least as much time as you would have had you gone to a campus-based school.”

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the state is home to 17 Fortune 500 headquarters, 450+ Fortune 500 companies, and 30 Fortune 1000 firms in key industries such as aerospace, agribusiness, big data, defense, tourism, manufacturing, and information technology. These bustling industries may make it easy for Georgia’s college students in online degree programs to transition into the workforce upon graduation, whether for a full-time job or an internship.

Occupation
Number of Workers
Median Salary
Office and Administrative Support Occupations580,040$35,360
Sales and Related Occupations471,770$26,150
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations450,020$30,300
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations416,960$19,870
Production Occupations317,050$31,850
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations273,700$48,910
Management Occupations272,140$100,790
Business and Financial Operations Occupations260,840$66,500
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations245,700$62,300
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations187,070$44,440
Computer and Mathematical Occupations154,890$86,000
Construction and Extraction Occupations149,200$39,120
Retail Salespersons143,080$22,580
Healthcare Support Occupations135,360$27,210
Fast Food and Counter Workers135,320$18,860
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand127,990$27,150
Cashiers115,640$20,650
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations112,290$24,710
Customer Service Representatives112,130$32,310
Protective Service Occupations111,350$36,140

Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Top Metropolitan Areas in Georgia

The fastest growing jobs in Georgia for a graduate with at least an associate degree are healthcare professionals, radio and cellular equipment technicians, aerospace engineers, veterinary professionals, paralegals and legal assistants. Students considering options of online degrees in Georgia may first want to find out about locations where occupations with the fastest job growth in Georgia may be available.

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell: The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan area currently has high levels of employment particularly in office support, sales, transportation and material moving, business and finance sectors. Between April 2018 and April 2019, job growth has been recorded in business, education, health, and hospitality sectors. Major companies such as Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, Delta Air Lines and Turner Broadcasting are headquartered in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Schools such as Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia State University in this area offer various degree programs.

Savannah: Generally, office support, food, transportation, material moving, sales and production occupations currently have the highest employment in the Savannah metropolitan area. Between May 2018 and May 2019, information, manufacturing, trade and transportation jobs in the area have increased. Some of the largest employers in the region include Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, SNF Holding Co., JCB and Georgia Ports Authority. Various degree programs are available at schools such as Savannah State University and Savannah College of Art and Design.

Augusta-Richmond County: Major occupational groups in the area include office and administrative support, sales, production, food preparation and healthcare. Since May 2018, job growth has been seen in hospitality, information, finance, mining, logging and construction sectors. Companies such as EZ GO Textron, Graphic Packaging, Cardinal Health, and Kellogg’s are some of the major employers in the area. You may explore degree programs offered by schools in the area including Augusta University, Paine College, and Augusta Technical College.

Financial aid programs for postsecondary students are administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. With student debt a growing concern across the nation, the state of Georgia is taking the initiative to help its lower-income students by developing more financial aid programs. One example, Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship program, is merit based. It requires high school students to graduate with a minimum 3.0 GPA and to maintain that same minimum cumulative GPA while they’re in college. The Keep HOPE Alive scholarship was designed to prevent students from dropping out; it offers $1,000 to freshmen and sophomores who qualify.

There are a number of federal financial aid programs that may help qualified students receive financial assistance through grants, scholarships, work-study programs and more. Federal grants include Pell Grants and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education. Conditions do apply so look for financial aid programs you can qualify for. In addition to the HOPE scholarship, more institution and state-specific financial aid programs are available. Here are just a few:

Since additional scholarships come and go, and aid tends to be school-specific, students pursuing online degrees in Georgia should spend some time researching aid options and exhausting all resources in the process. Specific financial aid may also be available depending on the school and program chosen, so it is always wise to check with your schools’ financial aid office for more information.

Scholarship Listing

Henry L. Bowden Scholarship
No. of Awards
5
Deadline
November 15
Max. Award Amount
25,240
Renewable
Yes
Criteria
Awarded to applicant with outstanding academic achievement, character, and leadership who will make significant contributions at school. Georgia residents are given priority. Other residents of the Southeast are considered. Nomination by school or Emory Admission Committee is required.
More
Willie Mae Cathcart Scholarship
No. of Awards
2
Deadline
None
Max. Award Amount
1,000
Renewable
No
Criteria
Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference is given to Georgia high school graduates. FAFSA required.
More
HOPE Grant Program
No. of Awards
160259
Deadline
None
Max. Award Amount
N/A
Renewable
Yes
Criteria
Applicant must be a resident of Georgia who is enrolled in a certificate or diploma program at an eligible public college, university, or public technical college. GPA is not considered.
More
HOPE Scholarship Program
No. of Awards
160259
Deadline
None
Max. Award Amount
N/A
Renewable
Yes
Criteria
Applicant must be a resident of Georgia who is enrolled in a degree program at an eligible public or private college, university, or public technical college demonstrating academic achievement. Award at an approved private college or university is $3,500 per academic year for full-time students and $1,750 for part-time students.
More
Peyton Anderson Scholarship
No. of Awards
15
Deadline
April 1
Max. Award Amount
7,500
Renewable
Yes
Criteria
Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from a Bibb County high school, who will attend one of nine specified Middle Georgia colleges and universities. Selection is based upon academic initiative and a commitment to making a positive difference in the community. Letter of recommendation and essay responses (for everyone), and interview (finalists only) are required.
More

Source: Scholarship directory data is copyrighted material which is reproduced on this website by permission of CollegeXpress, a division of Carnegie Dartlet. Copyright © 2020 by CollegeXpress.

Many of the colleges in Georgia use the ACCUPLACER Test to determine whether a prospective student is college ready. The test consists of 3 examinations each in algebra, English and reading. Students must meet minimum scores in all 3 subjects to be considered eligible for admission. In most cases, high school grades are the predominant factors for determining eligibility but most schools will consider SAT/ACT scores as well.

See Methodology Information Here
Sources

  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
  • Best States for Business, 2017 Ranking, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/best-states-for-business/list/
  • CNBC names Georgia No. 2 best state for business for 2017, July 2017, Atlanta Business Chronicle, https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/07/11/cnbc-names-georgia-no-2-best-state-for-business/
  • Complete College Georgia: Georgia’s Higher Education Completion Plan 2012, https://oir.uga.edu/_resources/files/documents/GA_CCG_Plan.pdf, accessed February 2018
  • Distance and Correspondence Education, Policy Statement, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, http://www.sacscoc.org/subchg/policy/Distanceandcorrespondencepolicyfinal.pdf
  • Employment Projections, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm, accessed March 2018
  • Fortune 500, Georgia Department of Economic Development, http://www.georgia.org/competitive-advantages/pro-business/fortune-500/, accessed March 2018
  • Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative Report, Technical College System of Georgia, December 2014, http://www.georgia.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/HDCI-Report.pdf, accessed March 2018
  • Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
  • Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements through 2020, June 2013, Center on Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University, https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Recovery2020.SR_.Web_.pdf
  • Site Selection names Georgia tops for business for fifth-straight year, October 2017, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com/business/site-selection-names-georgia-tops-for-business-for-fifth-straight-year/AgYteXS6174jbGt7alWT2L/
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development, Workforce & Education, on the Internet at https://www.georgia.org/competitive-advantages/workforce-education#block1 (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • Georgia Department of Economic Development, Pro-business Environment, on the Internet at https://www.georgia.org/competitive-advantages/pro-business-environment (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, CareerOneStop, Fastest-growing Careers, on the Internet at https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/fastest-growing-careers.aspx?location=GA¤tpage=1 (accessed on 30 July, 2019
  • )

  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell — May 2018, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_atlanta.htm (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Southeast Information Office, Atlanta Area Employment – April 2019, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/areaemployment_atlanta.htm (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages in Savannah — May 2018, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_savannah.htm (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2018 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Savannah, GA, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_42340.htm#00-0000 (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Southeast Information Office, Savannah Area Economic Summary, Updated July 2019, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/summary/blssummary_savannah.pdf (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • Savannah Area Chamber, Major Employers, on the Internet at https://www.savannahchamber.com/economic-development/major-employers/ (accessed on 31 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Southeast Information Office, Occupational Employment and Wages in Augusta-Richmond County — May 2018, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/occupationalemploymentandwages_augusta.htm (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Southeast Information Office, Augusta, GA-SC, Area Economic Summary, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/summary/blssummary_augusta.pdf (accessed on 30 July, 2019)
  • Augusta Economic Development Authority, The Augusta Area’s Largest Employers, on the Internet at https://augustaeda.org/business-industry-largest-employer (accessed on 31 July, 2019)
  • National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator, on the Internet at https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=GA&l=93&ct=1+2+3&of=1&od=0&pg=3 (accessed on 31 July, 2019)
Methodologies and Sources