by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Georgia, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **12** programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 12 graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Georgia. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $83,560. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans.
Out of the 12 graduate 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. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Median early-career earnings reach $67,840. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place in Georgia. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Median early-career earnings reach $53,546. The median student debt is $21,792.
The strong outcomes at Mercer University earned it the #4 place in Georgia. Located in Macon, GA, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,565. Mercer University graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,699. Graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Kennesaw State University one of the top graduate schools in Georgia. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,004.
University Of West Georgia did well this year, earning the #6 position. University Of West Georgia is a public school based in Carrollton, GA. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,432. The median student debt is $26,789.
Georgia Southern University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Statesboro, GA. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,531. Georgia Southern University students take on a median of $26,500 in debt.
University Of North Georgia did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Dahlonega, GA. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. University Of North Georgia graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,714. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete a degree here.
Georgia State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,103. Graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans.
Columbus State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Median early-career earnings reach $51,154. Typical student debt is $28,493.
Augusta University placed #11 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Augusta University graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,168. Graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans.
Valdosta State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Valdosta, GA, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Valdosta State University graduates 42% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $44,914. Valdosta State University students take on a median of $28,661 in debt.
Brenau University placed #13 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Set in Gainesville, GA, Brenau University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,757. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,258. Typical student debt is $36,299.
Luther Rice University And Seminary came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Lithonia, GA, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,320. Luther Rice University And Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,877. Typical student debt is $36,730.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Macon, GA. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,207. The median student debt is $26,976.
Clark Atlanta University placed #16 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Set in Atlanta, GA, Clark Atlanta University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,310. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $28,748. Students borrow a median of $27,803 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Graduate schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.