In-state tuition (1 year)
Rank #5 nationally
$8,540
All states
2025-26Rank #5
2025-26Rank #5Georgia College Cost 2025-26
$8,540 in-state, $28,070 out-of-state. Community college: $4,238.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2025-26
$8,540
In-state
$34,160
4-year sticker
$28,070
Out-of-state
#5
National rank
Georgia college cost breakdown
In-state tuition
$8,540
Out-of-state
$28,070
2-year in-district
$4,238
Estimated COA
$22,440
Georgia's $8,540/yr in-state tuition ranks #5 nationally (lowest = #1) and is below the $11,950 US average. Estimated COA adds room & board ($13,900/yr US avg).
Four-year sticker cost in Georgia
Tuition & fees only. Add room & board for full COA. Net price after aid is typically lower.
4-year sticker (tuition only)
No room/board
$34,160
Estimated COA (1 year)
Tuition + US avg room/board ($13,900)
$22,440
Out-of-state tuition (1 year)
Premium +$19,530
$28,070
Community college (1 year)
Public 2-year in-district
$4,238
Georgia vs neighboring states
Geographic neighbors. Click for side-by-side comparison.
Compare Georgia with another state
Side-by-side in-state, out-of-state, community college, and 529 benefits.
Compare any two states
Public college tuition, out-of-state premiums, and 529 benefits.
States with similar in-state tuition
Key takeaways — Georgia college costs
- Georgia public 4-year in-state tuition averages $8,540/yr—rank #5 (lowest = #1). Out-of-state: $28,070/yr (rank #20), premium +$19,530.
- Four-year sticker (tuition only): $34,160 in-state. Add room & board: estimated COA $22,440/yr × 4 ≈ $89,760.
- Public 2-year in-district: $4,238/yr (US avg $4,150).
- Georgia is $3,410 below the US average in-state tuition ($11,950).
- Georgia offers a 529 income tax deduction (up to $4,000 single / $8,000 MFJ).
- Net price after aid is typically lower than sticker. Use college net price calculators for personalized estimates.
Georgia college costs: in-state, out-of-state, and community college
Georgia public 4-year institutions charge an average of $8,540 per year for in-state residents (tuition & fees). That ranks #5 among 50 states and DC (lowest = #1). Out-of-state: $28,070/yr (rank #20), premium +$19,530.
Community college in Georgia: Public 2-year in-district: $4,238/yr (US avg $4,150). Many students start at community college and transfer after 2 years, cutting total 4-year costs significantly.
Room & board is not included in tuition. College Board estimates US average room & board at $13,900/yr. Add to tuition for estimated COA: Georgia ≈ $22,440/yr in-state.
Four-year sticker cost in Georgia
Four years of in-state tuition totals about $34,160 (tuition & fees only, no room/board). With room & board, estimated COA over 4 years: $89,760.
Out-of-state students pay about $112,280 over 4 years (tuition only), plus room & board. That's $78,120 more than in-state over 4 years.
These are sticker prices. Net price after federal Pell Grants, institutional aid, state grants, and scholarships is typically much lower. Use college net price calculators for personalized estimates based on your income and academic profile.
Georgia 529 plan tax benefits
Georgia offers a 529 income tax deduction (up to $4,000 single / $8,000 MFJ). Use our /529-calculator to estimate tax savings, project account growth at different return rates, and compare superfunding (5-year lump sum) vs annual contributions.
529 plans offer federal tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses: tuition, fees, room, board, books, computers, and K-12 tuition (up to $10,000/yr). Some states also allow 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers (SECURE 2.0 Act).
Link your 529 savings goal to Georgia tuition costs. If you're saving for a child born today, project tuition inflation (≈5%/yr) to estimate future costs 18 years out.
Georgia financial aid and scholarship programs
Georgia HOPE Scholarship covers a portion of tuition for GA high school graduates with 3.0+ GPA. Zell Miller Scholarship covers full tuition for students with 3.7+ GPA and high SAT/ACT scores. Both require maintaining college GPA to renew. Check the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) for current award amounts.
Who this Georgia guide helps
- Families comparing Georgia tuition with neighboring states for college choice.
- High school students in Georgia evaluating in-state vs out-of-state affordability.
- 529 savers setting contribution targets based on Georgia public college costs.
- Relocation researchers weighing college affordability across state lines.
When to use other tools
- You need net price after aid (use college net price calculators, not sticker price).
- You're comparing private college costs in Georgia (this page covers public only).
- You need current tuition at a specific campus (flagship and regional costs vary).
- You're filing residency appeals (consult institution-specific domicile policies).
Georgia college cost checklist
- Note Georgia in-state tuition: $8,540/yr (rank #5).
- Out-of-state: $28,070/yr (premium +$19,530).
- Community college: $4,238/yr (2-year in-district).
- Add room & board ($13,900/yr US avg) for estimated COA.
- Check Georgia 529 plan tax benefits using /529-calculator.
- Explore state financial aid programs (grants, merit scholarships, promise programs).
- Use college net price calculators for personalized aid estimates.
Georgia college cost FAQs
Georgia averages $8,540 per year for public 4-year in-state tuition & fees—rank #5 nationally (lowest = #1).
Out-of-state tuition averages $28,070/yr in Georgia (rank #20), a premium of $19,530 above in-state.
Public 2-year in-district tuition & fees average $4,238/yr in Georgia (tuition only, no room/board). US average: $4,150.
Four years of in-state tuition totals about $34,160 (tuition & fees only). Add room & board for full COA estimate: $22,440/yr × 4 ≈ $89,760.
Many states offer 529 plan tax deductions or credits. GA residents should check /529-calculator for Georgia-specific deduction limits, credit amounts, and tax savings examples.
Georgia HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship provide merit-based tuition assistance for GA high school graduates. Maintain GPA to renew.
Georgia ranks #5 for in-state tuition (lowest = #1). Compare with neighbors and states with similar 529 benefits using our compare tool.
Academic year 2025-26 from College Board Trends in College Pricing 2025. Page updated 2026-08-02. Verify current rates with institutions.
Most Georgia public institutions require 12 months of physical presence, a Georgia driver's license or state ID, vehicle registration, voter registration, and intent to remain. Rules vary by campus. Contact the admissions or registrar office for specific requirements.
Yes. Most Georgia state grants and scholarships stack with federal Pell Grants, institutional aid, and outside scholarships. Check your financial aid award letter for the full package.
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