From Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia holds 26 four-year universities that Peach State residents and out-of-state scholars can apply to. All possessing their own qualities, prospective college students interested in Georgia colleges should analyze their own values, wants and needs to determine if the college’s mission statement matches. Out of the 26 public colleges, the institutions with the most populated student bodies include Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia and Georgia State University.
“I’ve been looking mostly at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University. All three of these Georgia schools have a really good business program and I plan on majoring in business. The University of Georgia stands out the most to me because it has a huge campus with diverse students, including a lot of choices for majors,” magnet senior Amsha Shastrula said.
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech, a college of technology, engineering and sciences, stands as the second-most selective college for acceptance in Georgia with a 16% acceptance rate. Students nationwide look to Georgia Tech for its high-rated engineering programs, student prospects for high-end research opportunities, career prospects after graduation and its downtown campus.
Georgia Tech focuses on admitting students based on high GPAs, exemplary test scores, rigorous courses, interest in technology and distinctive student profiles. Due to its low acceptance rate, Georgia Tech searches mainly for students with unique qualities and passion projects that showcase their interest in technology-related fields.
Go Yellow Jackets!
Kennesaw State University (KSU)
As the most populated suburban university in Georgia, Kennesaw State University holds around 45,000 scholars in its student body on its Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. Contrasting Georgia Tech’s low acceptance rate, KSU rocks an 86% acceptance rate. KSU stands as a perfect school for those living in suburban Georgia who would rather attend a college close to family.
KSU features a diverse list of majors for students to engage in, such as their various medical programs. The university hosts a phenomenal nursing program at their Wellstar School of Nursing.
Hooty Hoo!
University of Georgia (UGA)
Football, Greek life and exemplary education: students of UGA, known as the Dawgs, pride themselves in residing on a critically acclaimed campus for its academics and exciting campus. Located in Athens, UGA ranks high for its safety, party scene, Greek life and dining. With a 40% acceptance rate, the mildly selective institution ranks highly on top American public college lists for its well-roundedness. Students can find a major that fits them best at UGA, with its 18 colleges within the universities and an accumulation of over 200 majors and academic programs.
UGA looks for well-rounded students. Admissions for the college commonly select well-rounded newcomers with high GPAs, rigorous academic profiles, dedication to community service and leadership through extracurriculars.
“I’d like to go to the University of Georgia because it’s super diverse—it’s two hours away from home. I’d also like the University of North Georgia for similar reasons and they also have a big student population like UGA. I wouldn’t want to go to Georgia Tech because it’s in the heart of the city; sometimes there ain’t no love in the heart of the city. There’s too much homelessness and littering that cracks my smile each time I visit Atlanta,” magnet senior Taylor Weems said.
Go Dawgs!
Georgia State University (GSU)
Located in the middle of Atlanta, GSU fits in perfectly with the chaos of the Big Peach City. With almost 29,000 students in undergraduate enrollment, several residents of Atlanta or other neighboring major cities decided to attend GSU because of its closeness to a downtown area. The location of GSU helps students prospect for future careers and allows access to internship opportunities that Atlanta businesses can offer. To land at the main Atlanta campus, students must fit within the 61% acceptance rate.
However, nearly 100% of students who apply to GSU will receive an acceptance letter to either the Atlanta campus or the Perimeter College. Instead of a four-year university, students of Perimeter receive only two years and can attend classes on several different local campuses in metro Atlanta. GSU provides several resources to Perimeter College students so they can transfer to the Atlanta campus after receiving a certain amount of course credits.
Go Panthers!
