Universities in Atlanta: A Local Guide to the City’s Major Colleges and Campuses

Atlanta is one of the South’s biggest college cities, with a dense cluster of universities in and around downtown and Midtown, plus several large campuses in the metro area. Whether you live in Atlanta, are planning a move, or are just trying to understand the higher education landscape here, it helps to know who’s who and where they are.

Below is a clear overview of what universities are in Atlanta, what makes them stand out, and how they’re grouped across the city.

Major Research Universities in Atlanta

These are the schools most people think of first when they talk about “universities in Atlanta.” They draw students from across the country and around the world.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

Type: Public research university
Location: Midtown Atlanta (North Avenue NW & Cherry St NW, 30332)

Georgia Tech is one of the city’s best-known institutions, especially for:

• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, industrial, and more)
• Computer science and computing-related fields
• Business (Scheller College of Business)
• Sciences and design

The campus sits right on the edge of Midtown, within walking or short transit distance of Tech Square, North Avenue, and the Midtown business district. It’s a major driver of Atlanta’s tech and startup scene, with close ties to local employers and research labs.

Georgia State University (GSU)

Type: Public research university
Location: Downtown Atlanta (primarily around Decatur St SE & Piedmont Ave SE, 30303)

Georgia State is woven into downtown Atlanta, with classroom buildings, residence halls, and offices spread throughout city blocks near the State Capitol and Peachtree Center. It’s known for:

• Business (J. Mack Robinson College of Business)
• Public policy, criminal justice, and law
• Health professions and public health
• Arts and media (film, journalism, music, visual arts)
• A broad range of undergraduate majors and graduate programs

GSU is also a big commuter school for Atlanta residents, but it offers on-campus housing and a growing residential community near the heart of downtown.

Emory University

Type: Private research university
Location: Druid Hills area, just east of the City of Atlanta (201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322)

While Emory’s main campus sits in the Druid Hills neighborhood (which is often associated with Atlanta addresses and daily life), it’s slightly outside the official city limits but functionally part of the Atlanta metro core. Emory is especially recognized for:

• Medicine and health sciences (Emory University Hospital, School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health)
• Law (Emory University School of Law)
• Business (Goizueta Business School)
• Strong programs in humanities and sciences

Emory also has facilities in Midtown (Emory Midtown Hospital) and other parts of the metro area, tying it closely to Atlanta’s healthcare and research network.

The Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium

On Atlanta’s west side, you’ll find one of the country’s most historically significant clusters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), collectively known as the Atlanta University Center.

These campuses are next to each other and share some cross-registration and joint programs.

Spelman College

Type: Private women’s liberal arts college (HBCU)
Location: West End / Atlanta University Center area (350 Spelman Ln SW, Atlanta, GA 30314)

Spelman is widely known for:

• Liberal arts and sciences with a focus on women’s education
• Strong community and alumni network
• Emphasis on leadership, global engagement, and social impact

The campus is close to the West End neighborhood and MARTA bus routes, making it accessible from other parts of the city.

Morehouse College

Type: Private men’s liberal arts college (HBCU)
Location: Near Spelman in the Atlanta University Center (830 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314)

Morehouse is noted for:

• Its history as a leading HBCU for men
• Focus on leadership, social justice, and community service
• Strong programs in business, humanities, and the sciences

Like Spelman, it’s tightly integrated into the AUC community, and students often interact across the neighboring campuses.

Clark Atlanta University

Type: Private coeducational university (HBCU)
Location: Atlanta University Center area (223 James P Brawley Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314)

Clark Atlanta formed from a merger of Atlanta University and Clark College and offers:

• Business, education, and social work
• Arts and sciences
• A range of graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees

Students benefit from being part of a multi-campus environment, with events and resources across the AUC.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Type: Private medical school (HBCU)
Location: Near AUC campuses (720 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)

Morehouse School of Medicine focuses on:

• Medical education and training
• Public health and health equity
• Community-based clinical and research work in Atlanta

While it’s more specialized than a broad undergraduate university, it’s a key part of the city’s higher education and healthcare landscape.

Other Notable Colleges and Universities in the Atlanta Area

In addition to the major research universities and HBCUs, Atlanta and its nearby suburbs host several other colleges and universities that many residents consider part of the “Atlanta college community.”

Private and Liberal Arts Institutions

Oglethorpe University

Type: Private liberal arts university
Location: Brookhaven, just north of Buckhead (4484 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319)

Oglethorpe’s stone architecture and compact campus give it a classic liberal arts feel. It offers:

• Undergraduate majors in arts, sciences, business, and communication
• A location close to Buckhead shopping and employment areas
• Easy access via Peachtree Road and MARTA bus routes

Agnes Scott College

Type: Private women’s liberal arts college
Location: Decatur (a close-in suburb east of Atlanta) – 141 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

Agnes Scott is a small campus in downtown Decatur, a vibrant, walkable area on the MARTA rail line. It’s known for:

• A strong liberal arts curriculum
• Programs emphasizing leadership and global learning
• A tight-knit campus community within easy reach of central Atlanta

Public Universities in the Greater Atlanta Metro

These institutions sit in the metro region and are commonly used by people who live or work in Atlanta, especially commuters.

Kennesaw State University (KSU)

Type: Public university
Locations:

• Kennesaw Campus: 1000 Chastain Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Marietta Campus: 1100 South Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30060

KSU offers:

• A wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees
• Strong engineering and technology programs (especially on the Marietta campus)
• Business, education, arts, and health programs popular with Atlanta-area residents

Many students live in the northern suburbs and commute to or from jobs in Atlanta.

University of West Georgia – Newnan and Carrollton (metro-adjacent)

While the main campus is in Carrollton (west of Atlanta), many people working or residing in the west side of the metro consider it a realistic option, especially with its satellite centers. It’s part of the broader educational picture for Atlanta commuters but sits outside the core city.

Community Colleges and Technical Colleges with Atlanta Campuses

While not “universities” in the traditional sense, many Atlanta residents start here and then transfer into four-year universities.

Atlanta Metropolitan State College

Type: Public state college
Location: Near I‑75/I‑85 and Metropolitan Pkwy SW (1630 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)

Offers:

• Associate and some bachelor’s degrees
• Transfer pathways to Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and other state universities
• Convenient access for students living in south Atlanta and nearby areas

Atlanta Technical College

Type: Public technical college
Location: 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Focuses on:

• Technical and career programs (healthcare, trades, IT, business office technologies)
• Workforce training closely tied to Atlanta’s job market
• Shorter-term credentials alongside diploma and degree options

Quick Reference: Key Universities in and Around Atlanta

Below is a simple summary of many of the most commonly referenced universities associated with Atlanta:

This list focuses on universities and degree-granting colleges most directly relevant to life, work, and study in Atlanta. The metro area also includes additional technical colleges, satellite campuses, and specialized schools.

How to Choose Between Atlanta-Area Universities

If you’re in Atlanta and trying to narrow down options, people commonly sort universities by:

• Location and commute

  • In-city and transit-friendly: Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Atlanta Technical College
  • Near, but not in, city center: Emory, Oglethorpe, Agnes Scott
  • Suburban/commuter: Kennesaw State and others in the metro area

• Academic focus

  • STEM and engineering: Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State (Marietta), Emory (sciences)
  • Business: Georgia Tech (Scheller), Georgia State (Robinson), Emory (Goizueta), KSU
  • Liberal arts focus: Spelman, Morehouse, Agnes Scott, Oglethorpe
  • Health and medical: Emory, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta Technical College (health programs), Georgia State (public health)

• Campus environment

  • Urban, integrated into the city: Georgia State, Georgia Tech
  • Residential, more traditional campus: Emory, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Agnes Scott, Oglethorpe
  • Suburban, large student population: Kennesaw State

Practical Next Steps for Someone in Atlanta

If you’re exploring universities in Atlanta, you can:

• Visit campus information desks or admissions offices (most are clearly marked near main entrances like North Avenue for Georgia Tech or Decatur Street for Georgia State).
• Use MARTA rail and bus to tour multiple campuses in a single day (for example, Downtown → Midtown → West End).
• Look up each school’s admissions or campus tours contact information to schedule a visit, especially if you’re comparing city campuses vs. more traditional residential settings.

Knowing which universities are in Atlanta—and how they’re spread between downtown, Midtown, the west side, and nearby suburbs—makes it easier to pick programs, plan commutes, or simply understand the role higher education plays in the city.