The Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia That Actually Graduate Their Students
University of North Georgia offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Georgia, graduating 54% of students within six years at $5,556 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Georgia’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega | 54% | $5,556 | $17,904 | 21 |
| 2 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville | 62% | $6,758 | $20,312 | 23 |
| 3 | University of Georgia | Athens | 87% | $10,268 | $26,576 | 30 |
| 4 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | 53% | $6,520 | $21,424 | 20 |
| 5 | Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | 45% | $6,052 | $17,836 | 16 |
| 6 | University of West Georgia | Carrollton | 43% | $5,908 | $18,400 | 19 |
| 7 | Augusta University | Augusta | 49% | $6,734 | $20,002 | 22 |
| 8 | Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus | 32% | $4,399 | $14,722 | 21 |
| 9 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | 48% | $6,664 | $20,524 | 23 |
| 10 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | 42% | $6,208 | $18,106 | 19 |
1. University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
University of North Georgia graduates 54% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $5,556 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,904. Median ACT: 21.
2. Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, Georgia
Georgia College & State University graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,758 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,312. Median ACT: 23.
3. University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
University of Georgia graduates 87% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,268 per year. Out-of-state students pay $26,576. Median ACT: 30.
4. Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
Georgia Southern University graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,520 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,424. Median ACT: 20.
https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/
5. Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, Georgia
Fort Valley State University graduates 45% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,052 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,836. Median ACT: 16. Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
6. University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia
University of West Georgia graduates 43% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $5,908 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,400. Median ACT: 19.
7. Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,734 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,002. Median ACT: 22.
8. Georgia Southwestern State University
Americus, Georgia
Georgia Southwestern State University graduates 32% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $4,399 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,722. Median ACT: 21.
9. Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
Kennesaw State University graduates 48% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,664 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,524. Median ACT: 23.
10. Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta State University graduates 42% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,208 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,106. Median ACT: 19.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Georgia by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 27 qualifying public institutions in Georgia.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
