Atlanta, Georgia Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Atlanta, Georgia shows: median public in-state tuition $16,044 (+191.1% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $50,136 (-7.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 82.5% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,903 (+55.6% vs U.S.) 85,633 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 29 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 85,633 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $16,044 (+191.1% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $50,136 (-7.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 82.5% (-5.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $19,509 (+95.7% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $20,903 (+55.6% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 51.0%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 73.3%
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Atlanta, Georgia—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Georgia and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Atlanta vs Georgia & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $16,044 | $19,509 | $20,903 | 51.0% | 85,633 |
| Georgia (state median) | $4,094 | $9,196 | $16,417 | 40.8% | 427,018 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Atlanta, Georgia vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $50,136 | 82.5% | 73.3% | 7.5% | — | 50.3% | 0.46 |
| Georgia (state median) | $47,384 | 87.3% | 70.9% | 7.5% | — | 56.6% | 0.49 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Georgia (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | $16,044 | $19,509 | $20,903 | 51.0% | 85,633 | $50,136 | 82.5% |
| Athens | $7,420 | $13,936 | $14,886 | 89.7% | 35,655 | $68,726 | 90.4% |
| Savannah | $18,145 | $22,878 | $25,636 | 18.6% | 28,272 | $36,201 | 78.0% |
| Statesboro | $4,278 | $10,904 | $11,750 | 54.9% | 23,610 | $53,236 | 89.1% |
| Lawrenceville | $4,028 | $14,970 | $11,616 | 21.5% | 20,572 | $47,730 | 83.4% |
| Macon | $27,650 | $13,568 | $21,547 | 44.5% | 11,720 | $44,317 | 87.8% |
| Augusta | $11,167 | $16,812 | $11,750 | 31.6% | 10,686 | $40,905 | 88.1% |
| Marietta | $9,288 | $30,296 | $12,498 | 37.9% | 10,363 | $47,397 | 77.8% |
| Marietta | $9,288 | $30,296 | $12,498 | 37.9% | 10,363 | $47,397 | 77.8% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Atlanta, Georgia
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $52,889 | 82.5% | 72.0% | 8.1% | — | 45.5% |
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 94.0%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 91.1%, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 59.4%, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 54.1%, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 53.1%, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 49.0%, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 20.8%, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 89.5%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 82.9%, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 82.6%, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 82.5%, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 82.2%, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 82.1%, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 76.9%, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Top 10 most selective colleges in Atlanta, Georgia (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 10.7%, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 14.1%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 44.0%, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 55.4%, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 64.2%, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 88.4%, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $105,137, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,682, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $78,175, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $75,774, Herzing University-Atlanta
Herzing University-Atlanta
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $56,121, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $55,567, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $51,687, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $30,518, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $159,541, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $150,628, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $112,934, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $101,040, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $91,010, Herzing University-Atlanta
Herzing University-Atlanta
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $71,486, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $54,657, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $54,609, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $89,432, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $74,980, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,691, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,267, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,844, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $28,097, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $27,823, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $94,647, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $80,270, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,337, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,541, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $42,670, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $36,146, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,839, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $102,772, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $80,137, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,232, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $52,889, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,384, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,712, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $36,144, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $411,155, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $273,660, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $138,884, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $133,527, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $120,306, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $119,049, Herzing University-Atlanta
Herzing University-Atlanta
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $54,071, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $2,930, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Atlanta, Georgia (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $12,116, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, Net Price, $16,482, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
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Rank 3, Net Price, $15,931, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $19,509, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $21,679, Herzing University-Atlanta
Herzing University-Atlanta
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Rank 6, Net Price, $22,585, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $24,901, Morris Brown College
Morris Brown College
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Rank 8, Net Price, $37,702, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 9, Net Price, $39,013, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
Top 10 colleges in Atlanta, Georgia by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 98.1%, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 95.7%, Emory University
Emory University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 86.9%, Morehouse College
Morehouse College
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 79.9%, Georgia State University
Georgia State University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 73.3%, Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 70.7%, Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 14.3%, American InterContinental University-Atlanta
American InterContinental University-Atlanta
In-state tuition: Atlanta, Georgia vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Atlanta, Georgia median in-state tuition is $16,044, +191.1% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Atlanta, Georgia vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Atlanta, Georgia is $20,903 (+55.6% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.
Median earnings (10 years out): Atlanta, Georgia vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Atlanta, Georgia center around $50,136 (-7.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Atlanta, Georgia vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 82.5% at the median Atlanta, Georgia campus (-5.4 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Atlanta, Georgia median public in-state tuition is $16,044, about +191.1% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +221.4%.
Median graduate debt is $20,903 (+55.6% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Atlanta, Georgia are $50,136, about -7.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 82.5% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-5.4 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 73.3% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 50.3% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (89.5%), Oglethorpe University (82.9%), Georgia State University (82.6%), Clark Atlanta University (82.5%), Morehouse College (82.2%), Emory University (82.1%), American InterContinental University-Atlanta (76.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Atlanta, Georgia, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $52,889 (6 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Atlanta, Georgia is 51.0% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Atlanta?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 29 campuses in Atlanta, Georgia with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Atlanta?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Atlanta is $16,044 and median net price is $19,509. For Georgia overall, medians are $4,094 and $9,196; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Atlanta?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Atlanta is $50,136 vs $47,384 for Georgia and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Atlanta colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Atlanta is $20,903 vs $16,417 for Georgia and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Atlanta?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (graduation) and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Atlanta?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 29 campuses in Atlanta, Georgia, 6 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Clark Atlanta University, Interdenominational Theological Center, and Morehouse College; 1 campus with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Oglethorpe University; 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: United Methodist (2), Interdenominational (2), African Methodist Episcopal (1).
Sources & related
- Georgia college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON