Last Updated: July 05, 2021
Georgia - Peach State
Situated on the southeastern shoreline of America, Georgia has a humid subtropical climate. Owing to its location summers are hot and humid while the winters are cooler in this state. The percentage of daily humidity in Georgia is not very high. It is eminently nicknamed the Peach state because of its production of one of the finest peaches. The state of Georgia is, therefore, widely known for its agricultural activities and is also famous for its huge production of peanuts and pecans. With its contrasting landscapes, profusely rich flora and fauna, and diversity in cultures, the state of Georgia is an interesting place to live in. According to the United States Census Bureau, there has been a 1.32% increase in the population of Georgia within a year. The capital of Georgia, Atlanta, is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies such as Home Depot, United Parcel Service, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Aflac, and Genuine Parts among others.
Georgia is also acknowledged for some of the most prestigious colleges and universities that offer quality education. You can reach your highest educational potential for almost every academic field of your interest in the top universities and colleges such as Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta), Emory University (Atlanta), University of Georgia (Athens), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Berry College (Mount Berry), and many others.
Major Cities
Atlanta
Best known as the "City in a Forest", Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and the State's capital. Apart from its picturesque greenery, it is recognized for being a cultural, commercial, as well as a transportation hub. Esteemed universities located here, such as George Institute of Technology, Emory University, George State University, also make Atlanta an important center for education.
Augusta
A city named after the Princess of Wales, Princess Augusta, it is the second-largest city in Georgia. "The Garden City of the South" is not only well known for its famous golf tournaments but is also acknowledged as an industrial city. Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, Paine College are some of the renowned colleges and universities in the city.
Savannah
Another major city in Georgia, Savannah is commonly known for its rich history, art, architecture, and beautiful landscapes, and is, therefore, a notable tourist center. It is also known for its educational institutions, namely, Savannah College of Art and Design, Armstrong State University, Savannah State University.
Columbus
Situated in the Muscogee county of the State of Georgia, Columbus is famously known as the Fountain City. It is named after the renowned Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, and is also a booming hub for a wide range of tourist attractions namely, National Infantry Museum, Springer Opera House, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, and so on.
Economy/Job Market
After a period of economic stagnation during the pandemic, the State of Georgia seems to be recovering from it, showing significant growth and progress in the economy. Although Georgia has a lower-than-average unemployment rate, the growing numbers of jobs in varying industries are bound to make the economy of the state strong. The top 5 employments out of the 20 fastest-growing jobs in Georgia are in the field of the computer industry while the rest is related to the health care sector. Additionally, 50% of these jobs have more than average wages.
Major industries
Agriculture is a major industry in Georgia and is famous the world over as the top producer of peanuts and pecans. Gainesville, which falls in the northeast of Georgia, is known as the Poultry Capital of the World. Apart from agriculture, Georgia excels in the fields of mining, energy, aerospace, and healthcare.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Georgia
The fees structure for in-state students is different as compared to that for out-state students. The fees for in states student is comparatively lower. To be more specific the tuition fees for out states candidate is almost double the amount paid by in-state candidates. At Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, for instance, the in-state tuition fee for undergraduate students is $14,000 and the out-of-state tuition fee is $36,000.
The concept of in-state tuition fees is applicable only to public universities. However, for private universities, the fees structure for all candidates coming from any part of the world is the same. When it comes to the cost of living in the state, it is much less than the nationwide average. Living costs may also vary depending on the location and other requirements.
List of few major universities/colleges
This American state is truly one of the best places for international students to get their graduate and master's degree. Georgia boasts 34 state universities and 32 private universities. Most of the universities and colleges in the state are predominantly good for studying biomedical and health sciences.
The majority of the top schools in Georgia are located in the large metro hub of the state, Atlanta. Several Georgia colleges and universities are considered to be the best Southeastern colleges, offering quality education to their students. Following are the top five universities in the state of Georgia:
- Georgia Institute of Technology - Located in the capital city of Atlanta, it is the most prestigious university and the best in the State of Georgia. It offers a wide variety of courses and activities for students.
- Emory University - Highly acclaimed for its healthcare systems and high scientific performance, this university in Atlanta is Georgia's second-oldest private research institution.
- University of Georgia - Known for its high educational quality and variety of graduate programs and high research activity, the University of Georgia is considered one of the oldest public universities. It is situated in Athens.
- Georgia State University - Placed in the city of Atlanta, this is one of the finest public research institutes in the State of Georgia, providing miscellaneous majors and minors for students.
- Berry College - Situated in the Mount Berry community, Berry College is a recognized private institute known for its academic excellence and diverse courses.
Scholarships and financial aid for students
Based on several categorical aspects such as academic merit and monetary needs, various scholarship programs and grants (also known as 'gift aid') are made available to assist students with respect to their requirements. Most grants are provided by the State government considering specific requirements. These are most beneficial for the residents of the state. The ' Free Application For Federal Student Aid ' (FAFSA) is to be filled by the residents of Georgia prior to the application for any kind of financial aid.
- HOPE - This state-aided grant known as HOPE that is, Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally, can be categorized into four, namely, HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Career Grant, and HOPE GED Grant. The eligibility requirements slightly differ for each HOPE grant based on merit. The HOPE Grant is applicable for in-state candidates who have secured a minimum of 2.00 CGPA.
HOPE scholarship is applicable for in-state students who have secured a minimum of 3.00 CGPA.
HOPE career grant is for in-state candidates, who have enrolled for courses related to the important industries in Georgia, which are significant for the growth of the state's economy.
HOPE GED grant provides a $500 award to in-state students who procure a General Education Development (GED)diploma. This is specifically awarded by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The amount awarded may be used for tuition and other such requirements.
- Zell Miller - The eligibility criteria for this grant is slightly rigorous compared to the HOPE grants. The candidate must secure a minimum of 3.50 post-secondary GPA in order to apply.
- Dual Enrollment - Here, areas of tuition fee, book allowances are covered. This is mostly applicable for high school students and home study students, with concurrent enrollments in a public or private institution that is eligible. A Student Participation Agreement (SPA) must be completed by the candidate and their guardian before they begin the application process for Dual Enrollment.
- GTEG - Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program, known as GTEG, covers educational costs for the students enrolling at the State's private colleges and universities.
- REACH - Funded by both public and private donations, Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen or REACH promotes the educational accessibility for academically promising students. This scholarship program is largely need-based, providing mentoring for students academically, socially as well as financially.
It is to be taken into consideration that various universities also have their own scholarship programs available for all students, be it international, in-state, or out-of-state students. The candidate should contact the financial aid office of their respective colleges/universities to know about the eligibility criteria and further details.
International Students
As many as 16,000 foreign students attend the universities in Georgia, with Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia State University being the top three. Here, most of the students come from China, India, and South Korea, followed by France. The details and processes of admission vary depending on the University. Almost all Universities in the USA require TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for international students. TOEFL is waived for countries whose native language is English Like UK, Australia, Canada. International students require an F-1 visa for attending academic institutions. This visa allows them to stay in the United States while being enrolled as a full-time student. All students with F-1 visas are allowed to work part-time during courses and full-time during vacations to support tuition and other expenses. Other visa types include J-1 visas for exchange students and M-1 visas for non-academic studies.
Tourism
The state of Georgia is the mecca of a wide range of one of the finest tourist attractions and landscapes, a blend of beautiful cities, forests, and rich history. Studying in Georgia will be a blessing in disguise for the students as they shall explore and discover the beauty of this state. The popular destinations worth visiting are the Coca-Cola museum, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Augusta National Golf Club, the world's largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Botanic Garden, and so much more.
Universities & Colleges in Georgia
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
