Cheapest Online Colleges in Georgia [2025 Guide]
Forget sacrificing your social life or being stuck in a pricey institution. Georgia's got an array of colleges and universities that offer excellent online programs at prices that are as friendly as a Southern drawl.
Find Your School in 5 Minutes or Less
Many schools have rolling admissions, which means you can start a program in a few weeks!
Two things stand out about Georgia's higher education system: its sheer size and scope. From small liberal arts colleges to massive research universities, the options are endless for students looking to earn a degree in the Peach State. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), tuition at Georgia's public colleges is competitively priced, often below the national average.
Student life in Georgia just got a major upgrade. With a college system that's squarely focused on innovative online education, learners can access top-tier programs, degree tracks, and credentialing pathways – all from the comfort of their own devices. Looking for an affordable online college in Georgia? Look no further – our list has everything you need.
Methodology
EDsmart rankings are based on data provided by NCES IPEDS reports via College Scorecard. All schools must provide four data points that EDsmart relies on to rank higher education institutions:
- Average Net Price
- Graduation Rate
- Retention Rate
- Median Earnings
Any school missing any one of the data points was not considered in our ranking. Only 4-year schools were considered for this ranking.
The rankings below are based solely on their average net prices.
EDsmart ranks colleges by Net Price, not just tuition, to show real costs. Net Price includes grants and scholarships, giving a more accurate picture of affordability.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Most Affordable Online Colleges in Georgia
1. Georgia Highlands College
- Average Net Price: $6,144
- Graduation Rate: 22%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Median Earnings: $43,184
Georgia Highlands College has an admission rate data unavailable, with an average cost of attendance at $11,832. The in-state tuition and fees are $3,344, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $9,696. Students who have completed their education here typically carry a median debt of $12,000. This college offers the cheapest online program available in Georgia.
2. Gordon State College
- Average Net Price: $8,844
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Median Earnings: $37,871
Gordon State College has an admission rate of 93.32%, making it highly accessible. The average cost of attendance is $14,627. In-state tuition and fees stand at $3,475, whereas out-of-state tuition and fees are $10,381. Graduates often have a median debt of $17,500.
3. Clayton State University
- Average Net Price: $10,514
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Median Earnings: $49,179
Clayton State University admits 56.32% of applicants, with an average cost of attendance of $17,613. In-state tuition and fees are $5,068, and out-of-state tuition and fees are $15,790. The median debt for graduates is $25,706.
4. Georgia Southwestern State University
- Average Net Price: $12,387
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Median Earnings: $48,757
Georgia Southwestern State University has an admission rate of 73.18%. The average cost of attendance is $19,915, with in-state tuition and fees at $4,980 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $15,702. Graduates typically have a median debt of $18,851.
5. Valdosta State University
- Average Net Price: $13,063
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Median Earnings: $49,361
Valdosta State University admits 89.47% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $20,694, with in-state tuition and fees of $6,007 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $17,062. The median debt for students who have completed their education is $24,779.
6. Augusta University
- Average Net Price: $13,417
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Median Earnings: $48,472
Augusta University has an admission rate of 85.53%. The average cost of attendance is $21,924, with in-state tuition and fees at $8,122 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $23,500. The median debt for graduates is $20,500.
7. Columbus State University
- Average Net Price: $13,601
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Median Earnings: $44,544
Columbus State University admits 87.80% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $20,838, with in-state tuition and fees of $5,751 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $16,805. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $26,000.
8. Middle Georgia State University
- Average Net Price: $13,910
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Median Earnings: $40,863
Middle Georgia State University has a nearly universal admission rate of 99.71%. The average cost of attendance is $19,127. In-state tuition and fees are $3,958, and out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,430. Graduates usually have a median debt of $19,000.
9. Albany State University
- Average Net Price: $15,152
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Median Earnings: $40,674
Albany State University’s admission rate is not available. The average cost of attendance is $21,402, with in-state tuition and fees at $5,934 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $16,656. The median debt for graduates is $25,024.
10. Georgia Southern University
- Average Net Price: $15,266
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Median Earnings: $53,236
Georgia Southern University admits 88.89% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $22,652, with in-state tuition and fees of $6,485 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $17,539. Graduates typically have a median debt of $23,250.
11. University of West Georgia
- Average Net Price: $16,374
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Median Earnings: $49,587
University of West Georgia has an admission rate of 80.12%. The average cost of attendance is $23,870, with in-state tuition and fees at $5,941 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $16,996. Graduates often have a median debt of $23,970.
12. Georgia State University
- Average Net Price: $17,202
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Median Earnings: $47,384
Georgia State University admits 66.78% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $27,149, with in-state tuition and fees at $8,478 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $23,709. The median debt for graduates is $20,903.
13. Kennesaw State University
- Average Net Price: $17,993
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Median Earnings: $57,552
Kennesaw State University admits 67.85% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $24,808, with in-state tuition and fees at $5,786 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $17,040. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $23,833.
14. Point University
- Average Net Price: $19,725
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Median Earnings: $38,740
Point University has a selective admission rate of 24.20%. The average cost of attendance is $34,203, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $22,300. Graduates often have a median debt of $25,250.
15. Toccoa Falls College
- Average Net Price: $20,663
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Median Earnings: $36,630
Toccoa Falls College admits 68.01% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $33,983, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $22,350. The median debt for graduates is $22,250.
16. Emmanuel College
- Average Net Price: $20,814
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Median Earnings: $38,208
Emmanuel College admits 62.66% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $33,421, with in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $22,924. Graduates typically have a median debt of $24,325.
17. Mercer University
- Average Net Price: $21,627
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Median Earnings: $58,354
Mercer University admits 74.68% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $55,068, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $39,708. The median debt for graduates is $24,199.
18. Brenau University
- Average Net Price: $23,535
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Retention Rate: 53%
- Median Earnings: $54,003
Brenau University admits 86.55% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $45,992, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $32,685. Graduates often have a median debt of $27,000.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Insights and Analysis - Most Affordable Online Colleges in GA
Net Prices and Affordability
- Lowest Net Price: Georgia Highlands College stands out with the lowest average net price of $6,144. This affordability is complemented by a relatively low in-state tuition of $3,344, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious students, particularly those pursuing online programs.
- Highest Net Price: Brenau University has the highest average net price at $23,535. Despite its high cost, the median earnings for graduates are $54,003, which indicates a reasonable return on investment.
- Mid-Range Prices: Institutions like Clayton State University ($10,514) and Georgia Southwestern State University ($12,387) offer mid-range net prices, balancing affordability with decent graduation rates and median earnings.
Graduation and Retention Rates
- Highest Graduation Rates: Mercer University boasts the highest graduation rate at 64%, coupled with a high retention rate of 86%. This suggests strong student satisfaction and effective academic support.
- Lowest Graduation Rates: Georgia Highlands College has the lowest graduation rate at 22%, which may raise concerns about student completion and support systems.
- Retention Rate Insights: High retention rates at institutions like Georgia State University (77%) and Kennesaw State University (74%) indicate strong student engagement and satisfaction in their initial years.
Median Earnings and Debt
- Highest Median Earnings: Kennesaw State University graduates earn a median salary of $57,552, the highest among the institutions listed. This is a notable achievement, especially when compared to its net price of $17,993.
- Debt Considerations: Middle Georgia State University students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000, which is relatively low. In contrast, graduates from Brenau University carry a higher median debt of $27,000, reflecting the higher cost of attendance.
- Earnings vs. Debt: Institutions like Mercer University and Georgia Southern University offer high median earnings ($58,354 and $53,236 respectively) which, when weighed against their respective median debts ($24,199 and $23,250), present favorable outcomes for graduates.
In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition
- Wide Tuition Gaps: Colleges such as Clayton State University and Georgia Southwestern State University exhibit significant differences between in-state and out-of-state tuitions. Clayton State's in-state tuition is $5,068 compared to $15,790 for out-of-state, while Georgia Southwestern's in-state is $4,980 against $15,702 out-of-state. This can greatly affect the decision-making process for non-resident students.
- Consistent Tuition: Private institutions like Point University and Toccoa Falls College have the same tuition fees for both in-state and out-of-state students, simplifying the financial planning for prospective students regardless of residency.
Special Call-Outs
- Georgia Highlands College: As the institution with the lowest net price, it also features the cheapest online program in Georgia, making it an ideal choice for students seeking affordable online education options.
- Mercer University: Despite having one of the highest costs of attendance ($55,068), Mercer University delivers the highest graduation rate and strong median earnings, highlighting its value proposition for students who can afford or secure adequate financial aid.
- Kennesaw State University: Balancing an accessible net price with the highest median earnings, Kennesaw State offers an excellent blend of affordability and financial payoff for graduates.
Overall Summary
Each institution presents a unique blend of costs, educational outcomes, and financial implications. Prospective students should consider these factors carefully, weighing the net price, potential debt, and expected earnings to make an informed decision that aligns with their financial and academic goals. Institutions like Georgia Highlands College and Mercer University represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of cost and outcomes, demonstrating the diverse options available within the state's higher education landscape.