2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Georgia
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Georgia? This list ranks 141 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 120 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Georgia
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus to be the best Graduate Degrees school in Georgia. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Out of the 120 schools in Georgia in this year's ranking, Emory University landed the #2 spot. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Emory University
You'll be in good company at Piedmont College, which ranked #3 this year. Piedmont College is a private not-for-profit school based in Demorest, GA. Piedmont College posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,700. Graduates carry a median of $29,975 in student loans. Get the full Piedmont College report
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place in Georgia. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Get the full University Of Georgia report
A rank of #5 makes Augusta University one of the top choices in Georgia. Located in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. Augusta University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Get the full Augusta University report
Georgia College And State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Milledgeville, GA. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,412. More on Georgia College And State University
Covenant College placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Based in Lookout Mountain, GA, Covenant College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,040. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Covenant College
University Of West Georgia did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Carrollton, GA. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of West Georgia report
University Of North Georgia did well this year, earning the #9 position. University Of North Georgia is a public school based in Dahlonega, GA. University Of North Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,439. More on University Of North Georgia
Georgia Southwestern State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Georgia Southwestern State University is a public school based in Americus, GA. Georgia Southwestern State University graduates 41% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,245. More on Georgia Southwestern State University
Valdosta State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Valdosta State University is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,661. Read more about Valdosta State University
Georgia Southern University landed the #12 spot in Georgia this year. Based in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about Georgia Southern University
Kennesaw State University placed #13 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. This public school is set in Kennesaw, GA. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Kennesaw State University
Mercer University placed #14 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Macon, GA. Mercer University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,565. Graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Read the full report on Mercer University
Brenau University placed #15 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Based in Gainesville, GA, Brenau University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $36,299. More on Brenau University
Lagrange College landed the #16 spot in Georgia this year. Based in Lagrange, GA, Lagrange College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,400. Lagrange College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Lagrange College profile
Georgia State University landed the #17 spot in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Georgia State University report
Columbus State University placed #18 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Set in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,493. Get the full Columbus State University report
Devry University Georgia did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Decatur, GA, Devry University Georgia is a private for-profit institution. Devry University Georgia graduates 17% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $46,807 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Devry University Georgia
Thomas University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Thomasville, GA, Thomas University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 7% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,454. Get the full Thomas University report
Middle Georgia State University placed #21 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Located in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a public institution. Middle Georgia State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. More on Middle Georgia State University
Albany State University landed the #22 spot in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Albany, GA. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Albany State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,158 in debt. Get the full Albany State University report
Truett Mcconnell College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Truett Mcconnell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, GA. About 38% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. See the full Truett Mcconnell College profile
Clayton State University placed #24 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Located in Morrow, GA, Clayton State University is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $35,088. Read more about Clayton State University
Fort Valley State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Fort Valley, GA, Fort Valley State University is a public institution. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,526, compared with $16,878 for out-of-state students. Fort Valley State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $35,963 in debt. See the full Fort Valley State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Georgia
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Clark Atlanta University landed the #26 spot in Georgia this year. Clark Atlanta University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. About 49% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $28,310 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,803 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Clark Atlanta University
Savannah State University landed the #27 spot in Georgia this year. Based in Savannah, GA, Savannah State University is a public institution. Savannah State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 28%. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Savannah State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,576 in debt. Get the full Savannah State University report
American Intercontinental University Atlanta placed #28 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a private for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 9% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,527. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $39,107. More on American Intercontinental University Atlanta
Beaver Beauty Academy landed the #29 spot in Georgia this year. See the full Beaver Beauty Academy profile
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Coastal Pines Technical College
Interactive College Of Technology Gainesville placed #31 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read more about Interactive College Of Technology Gainesville
United Education Institute Morrow came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on United Education Institute Morrow
Columbia Theological Seminary placed #33 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. More on Columbia Theological Seminary
Elaine Sterling Institute did well this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Elaine Sterling Institute report
Morris Brown College placed #35 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read more about Morris Brown College
Albany Technical College landed the #36 spot in Georgia this year. Read more about Albany Technical College
South University Savannah placed #37 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Get the full South University Savannah report
Gordon State College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Gordon State College
Shearz Institute
Shearz Institute came in at #39 in this year's ranking. More on Shearz Institute
Southeastern Technical College placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. See the full Southeastern Technical College profile
Brewton Parker College placed #41 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read more about Brewton Parker College
Emory University Oxford College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read more about Emory University Oxford College
East Georgia State College placed #43 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read more about East Georgia State College
Andrew College
Andrew College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Read more about Andrew College
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #45 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. More on Savannah College Of Art And Design
Georgia Career Institute placed #46 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Get the full Georgia Career Institute report
North Georgia Technical College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read more about North Georgia Technical College
Profile Institute Of Barber Styling placed #48 among Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Get the full Profile Institute Of Barber Styling report
Atlanta Technical College landed the #49 spot in Georgia this year. Read more about Atlanta Technical College
Empire Beauty School Northlake landed the #50 spot in Georgia this year. Read more about Empire Beauty School Northlake
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 120 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 141 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).