by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Georgia, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **22** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 22 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Our analysis found Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus to be the best graduate school in Georgia. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $83,560. The median student debt is $24,323.
Emory University came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Georgia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $19,431.
The strong outcomes at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place in Georgia. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,546. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Mercer University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Macon, GA, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,699. Typical student debt is $32,463.
Kennesaw State University came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Georgia. Kennesaw State University is a public school based in Kennesaw, GA. Kennesaw State University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $53,824. Kennesaw State University students take on a median of $27,004 in debt.
Augusta University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. Augusta University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,168. Typical student debt is $25,745.
University Of West Georgia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Carrollton, GA, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,432. The median student debt is $26,789.
Morehouse School Of Medicine came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Morehouse School Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. Morehouse School Of Medicine graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,044.
University Of North Georgia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Dahlonega, GA. University Of North Georgia graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $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 came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,103. Typical student debt is $26,091.
Georgia Southern University placed #11 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Located in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Georgia Southern University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,531. The median student debt is $26,500.
Columbus State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Columbus State University is a public school based in Columbus, GA. Columbus State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $28,493.
Valdosta State University placed #13 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. This public school is set in Valdosta, GA. Valdosta State University graduates 42% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. The median student debt is $28,661.
Life University placed #14 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Located in Marietta, GA, Life University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,036. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,274. The median student debt is $27,865.
Brenau University placed #15 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Located in Gainesville, GA, Brenau University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brenau University posts a six-year graduation rate of 35%. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,757. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,258. The median student debt is $36,299.
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. Clark Atlanta University graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,310. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,748 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,803.
South University Savannah came in at #17 in this year's ranking. South University Savannah is a private for-profit school based in Savannah, GA. About 17% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,895. Median early-career earnings reach $63,382. South University Savannah students take on a median of $47,732 in debt.
Middle Georgia State University placed #18 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Based in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a public institution. Middle Georgia State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 24%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,207. Graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans.
Luther Rice University And Seminary landed the #19 spot in Georgia this year. Set in Lithonia, GA, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,877. Luther Rice University And Seminary students take on a median of $36,730 in debt.
South Universitysavannah Online placed #20 among the best graduate schools in Georgia. Based in Savannah, GA, South Universitysavannah Online is a private for-profit institution. South Universitysavannah Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 6%. Students from in state pay about $17,895 in tuition and fees. South Universitysavannah Online graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,003. Graduates carry a median of $47,732 in student loans.
Atlantas John Marshall Law School did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Atlanta, GA, Atlantas John Marshall Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $57,019.
Interdenominational Theological Center did well this year, earning the #22 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,074.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.