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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
The campus is close to the West End neighborhood and MARTA bus routes, making it accessible from other parts of the city.
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:
Like Spelman, it’s tightly integrated into the AUC community, and students often interact across the neighboring campuses.
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:
Students benefit from being part of a multi-campus environment, with events and resources across the AUC.
Type: Private medical school (HBCU)
Location: Near AUC campuses (720 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)
Morehouse School of Medicine focuses on:
While it’s more specialized than a broad undergraduate university, it’s a key part of the city’s higher education and healthcare landscape.
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.”
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:
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:
These institutions sit in the metro region and are commonly used by people who live or work in Atlanta, especially commuters.
Type: Public university
Locations:
KSU offers:
Many students live in the northern suburbs and commute to or from jobs in Atlanta.
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.
While not “universities” in the traditional sense, many Atlanta residents start here and then transfer into four-year universities.
Type: Public state college
Location: Near I‑75/I‑85 and Metropolitan Pkwy SW (1630 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)
Offers:
Type: Public technical college
Location: 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Focuses on:
Below is a simple summary of many of the most commonly referenced universities associated with Atlanta:
| Institution | Type | General Location in Relation to Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) | Public research university | Midtown Atlanta (inside city) |
| Georgia State University | Public research university | Downtown Atlanta (inside city) |
| Emory University | Private research university | Druid Hills, just east of Atlanta core |
| Spelman College | Private HBCU (women’s) | West End / AUC (inside city) |
| Morehouse College | Private HBCU (men’s) | West End / AUC (inside city) |
| Clark Atlanta University | Private HBCU (coed) | West End / AUC (inside city) |
| Morehouse School of Medicine | Private HBCU medical school | Near AUC (inside city) |
| Oglethorpe University | Private liberal arts | Brookhaven (north Atlanta area) |
| Agnes Scott College | Private liberal arts (women’s) | Decatur (east Atlanta metro) |
| Atlanta Metropolitan State College | Public state college | South/southwest Atlanta (inside city) |
| Atlanta Technical College | Public technical college | South/southwest Atlanta (inside city) |
| Kennesaw State University | Public university | Northwest suburbs (Kennesaw & Marietta) |
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.
If you’re in Atlanta and trying to narrow down options, people commonly sort universities by:
Location and commute
Academic focus
Campus environment
If you’re exploring universities in Atlanta, you can:
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.
