Georgia is among the most affordable states for college, reports U.S. News & World

Georgia has been named one of the top five most affordable states to earn a college degree, and based on a few factors, can make it substantially more attainable than in many other parts of the country.

As part of the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best States” rankings, the higher education analysis ranks Georgia no. 4 in the nation for in‑state public tuition and fees.

The ranking looks at what students actually pay in tuition and fees, however, it does not account for costs associated with housing, meal plans or personal expenses.

Georgia’s position reflects a long‑running policy choice that has taken shape over the last decade. State leaders and the Board of Regents has repeatedly emphasized keeping in‑state tuition comparatively low, especially at regional universities and state colleges.

Because the Board of Regents has voted multiple times in the last 10 years to hold in‑state tuition flat across most campuses, costs are fairly stable for students even as inflation pushes up prices elsewhere, according to the Associated Press.

Tuition in Georgia

For many in‑state students, lottery‑funded HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships cover a significant portion of tuition at public institutions, though families still have to consider other mandatory fees for housing, books and transportation.

The data collected considers in-state tuition at public institutions.

Least expensive

All figures below are approximations:

• East Georgia State College (Swainsboro): $2,280-$2,900
• South Georgia State College (Douglas): $2,280
• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Tifton): $2,563
• College of Coastal Georgia (Brunswick): $2,563
• Dalton State College (Dalton): $2,563-$3,336

Most expensive

• Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta): $11,764
• University of Georgia (Athens): $11,180
• Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville): $8,998
• Georgia State University (Atlanta): $8,478
• Augusta University (Augusta): $8,122

Compare other states

Most expensive

• New Jersey: $20,000
• Vermont: $19,000
• New Hampshire: $15,600
• Connecticut: $15,600
• Pennsylvania: $14,500

Least expensive

• Wyoming: $4,900
• Georgia: $4,500
• Nevada: $5,900
• Florida: $6,300
• Utah: $7,000