Atlanta Universities in Georgia: A Local Guide to Higher Education in the City

When people search for “Atlanta University Georgia”, they’re often looking for two things:

1. information about Atlanta’s major universities, and
2. clarity about the historic Atlanta University that helped shape higher education for Black students in the South.

This guide walks through both, with a focus on what matters if you live in Atlanta, are planning to study here, or are visiting campuses.

Atlanta University vs. Today’s Atlanta Universities

What was Atlanta University?

Atlanta University was one of the earliest historically Black institutions of higher learning in the United States. Founded in the 19th century in Atlanta, it later consolidated with Clark College in 1988 to become Clark Atlanta University (CAU).

So today, if you’re looking for “Atlanta University” in Georgia, you’re almost always looking for:

• Clark Atlanta University – the modern institution that carries forward Atlanta University’s legacy
• Or more broadly, universities located in Atlanta, Georgia

Major Universities in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s largest college and university hubs, with a strong mix of public, private, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Below is a quick overview of several key institutions inside the city.

Quick Comparison of Key Atlanta Universities

All of these schools are either inside the Atlanta city limits or functionally part of the metro’s core higher-education landscape.

Clark Atlanta University: Continuing the Atlanta University Legacy

If your search is specifically about “Atlanta University” as a historic institution, you’re really looking at Clark Atlanta University today.

Key Facts About Clark Atlanta University

• Type: Private, historically Black university (HBCU)
• Location:
  Clark Atlanta University
  223 James P. Brawley Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30314
• Area: Located in the Atlanta University Center (AUC), a cluster of HBCUs just west of downtown

Clark Atlanta offers programs in:

• Arts and Sciences (social sciences, humanities, natural sciences)
• Business Administration
• Education
• Social Work
• Various graduate and doctoral programs

Visiting Clark Atlanta University

If you’re in Atlanta and want to explore the campus:

• The AUC area is just a short drive or bus ride from Downtown Atlanta.
• Nearby landmarks include Mercedes-Benz Stadium and West End.
• Campus tours are typically arranged through the university’s Office of Admissions; prospective students usually schedule appointments in advance.

The Atlanta University Center (AUC): A Unique Cluster of HBCUs

The Atlanta University Center is a nationally known consortium of historically Black institutions. If you’re thinking of “Atlanta University” as a community of schools, this is what you’re likely picturing.

Colleges and Universities in the AUC

• Clark Atlanta University – co-ed, private HBCU
• Spelman College – private liberal arts college for women
• Morehouse College – private liberal arts college for men
• Morehouse School of Medicine – graduate-level health sciences institution nearby

These campuses are within walking distance of each other, creating a shared academic and social environment.

Why the AUC Matters Locally

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, the AUC is:

• A cultural hub, with events, lectures, and performances open to the community
• A center of civil rights history and scholarship
• A major contributor to Atlanta’s identity as a higher-education city

If you’re touring colleges, it’s easy to plan back-to-back visits to Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and Morehouse in a single day since they are so close together.

Other Prominent Universities in Atlanta, Georgia

Even if your search started with “Atlanta University,” it often leads to exploring other Atlanta-area universities. Here’s what to know about a few major ones.

Georgia State University (GSU)

• Type: Public research university
• Location:
  Georgia State University
  33 Gilmer St SE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Campus Style:Urban, integrated into downtown – classrooms, housing, and offices are interwoven with city streets and businesses.

Georgia State is known for:

• Wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs (business, law, public health, arts, sciences, and more)
• Strong emphasis on student support and access
• Being closely connected to Atlanta’s business and government districts

If you live or work downtown, GSU is literally built into the city around you, making evening classes and part-time study accessible.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

• Type: Public research university
• Location:
  Georgia Institute of Technology
  North Avenue NW
  Atlanta, GA 30332
• Area:Midtown Atlanta, just north of downtown

Georgia Tech is particularly recognized for:

• Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, and more)
• Computing and information technology
• Sciences, business, and design

For Atlanta residents interested in STEM careers, Georgia Tech is a major local resource, with frequent public lectures, career fairs, and community-facing programs.

Emory University

• Type: Private research university
• Location (main campus mailing):
  Emory University
  201 Dowman Drive
  Atlanta, GA 30322

While technically in the Druid Hills area, Emory is closely tied to Atlanta’s:

• Health care system, through Emory University Hospital and related facilities
• Biomedical and public health research, including the Rollins School of Public Health
• Law and business, through Emory Law and Goizueta Business School

For Atlantans considering careers in medicine, health policy, or law, Emory is a major presence within the metro area.

Choosing a University in Atlanta: Local Factors to Consider

If you’re in Atlanta and trying to decide where to study, it helps to look beyond just academics and think about how each campus fits into city life.

1. Location and Commute

In Atlanta, traffic and transit matter. Consider:

• Do you plan to rely on MARTA trains or buses, or will you drive?
• Will you live on campus, off campus nearby, or commute from another part of the metro area?

Approximate transit-oriented guidance:

• Clark Atlanta / AUC schools: Accessible via MARTA rail to Vine City or Ashby stations, then a short walk or bus ride.
• Georgia State: Directly adjacent to Five Points and Georgia State MARTA stations.
• Georgia Tech: Serviced by MARTA Arts Center and Midtown stations plus Tech’s own shuttle system.
• Emory: Served by MARTA bus routes and Emory’s own shuttles; many students live nearby in the Druid Hills / Decatur area.

2. Campus Environment

Different Atlanta universities offer very different daily experiences:

• AUC campuses (Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse):
  Close-knit, historically Black academic environment with rich cultural traditions.
• Georgia State:
  Strong urban feel – classes may be in mid-rise buildings with city streets between them.
• Georgia Tech:
  More of a traditional campus feel but still in the heart of Midtown.
• Emory:
  A more suburban, tree-lined campus while still being close to Intown Atlanta neighborhoods.

3. Program Strengths

Think about what Atlanta’s universities are locally known for:

• Interested in business and city connections?
  Georgia State, Clark Atlanta, and Emory all have strong business programs with local ties.
• Focused on engineering or tech?
  Georgia Tech is a primary destination.
• Drawn to liberal arts within an HBCU environment?
  Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and Morehouse are central options.
• Considering health, medicine, or public health?
  Emory and Morehouse School of Medicine are important local institutions.

Using Atlanta as Your Extended Classroom

One advantage of studying in Atlanta, Georgia, is how much the city itself becomes part of the learning experience.

Students at Atlanta universities often engage with:

• Internships and co-ops in downtown business districts, Midtown tech companies, and Buckhead corporate offices
• Nonprofits and community organizations in neighborhoods like West End, Old Fourth Ward, and South Atlanta
• Government and policy work around the State Capitol and city government buildings

If you’re evaluating schools, ask each admissions or career services office about:

• Typical internship partners in the Atlanta area
• How often students work with local companies or agencies
• Opportunities for service learning or community projects within the city

How to Visit and Explore Atlanta Universities

If you’re in or coming to Atlanta to tour universities, here are practical steps to make the most of your visit.

1. Plan by Neighborhood

Because many campuses are close together, you can group visits:

• Westside (AUC): Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College
• Downtown: Georgia State University
• Midtown: Georgia Tech
• Druid Hills / East Side: Emory University

📝 Tip: Morning visits often work well to find parking more easily and avoid peak afternoon traffic.

2. Contact Admissions Offices

Most universities in Atlanta encourage:

• Online tour registration, especially during busy times in spring and fall
• Information sessions that explain admissions, financial aid, and campus life
• Sometimes, special visit days for high school students and families

When you call or email, mention if you’re local to the Atlanta area; some schools offer programming or events specifically for nearby students.

If You’re Simply Trying to Understand “Atlanta University Georgia”

To summarize what “Atlanta University Georgia” usually means in a modern context:

• Historically: “Atlanta University” was an early HBCU in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Today: Its legacy primarily lives on through Clark Atlanta University, part of the Atlanta University Center.
• Broadly: Many people use the phrase when they’re really looking for information about universities located in Atlanta, Georgia—including Clark Atlanta, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, and others.

If you are in Atlanta or planning to come here, you have access to a dense cluster of diverse institutions, each woven into a different part of the city. The best next step is usually to:

1. Decide what kind of campus environment you want (urban, traditional, HBCU, research-heavy, etc.).
2. Look at which Atlanta neighborhood that school is in and how you’d get there daily.
3. Reach out directly to admissions or visit in person to see how the university fits into life in Atlanta, Georgia.