Universities in Atlanta: Your Guide to Colleges and Campus Life in the City

Atlanta isn’t just the capital of Georgia—it’s one of the South’s biggest higher education hubs, with major research universities, historic HBCUs, specialized art and design schools, and community colleges all within (or just beyond) the I‑285 perimeter.

Whether you live in Atlanta, are planning to move here, or are comparing schools from out of state, understanding the universities in Atlanta helps you choose the right campus, program, and neighborhood for your goals.

The Major University Clusters in Atlanta

Atlanta’s colleges and universities are loosely grouped into a few key areas:

• Midtown/West Midtown – Georgia Tech, SCAD Atlanta, nearby graduate campuses
• Downtown – Georgia State University
• Southwest Atlanta – The Atlanta University Center (AUC) HBCUs
• North Atlanta & Perimeter – Private campuses like Oglethorpe University, plus nearby institutions in Decatur and along I‑85/I‑75

This layout affects commutes, housing, and campus culture, so it’s important to know where each school sits in the city.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

Location: North Avenue NW, Midtown Atlanta
Type: Public research university, STEM-focused

Georgia Tech is one of the most recognized STEM and engineering universities in the country, and its campus stretches across Midtown and into West Midtown.

Known for:

• Engineering, computer science, and technology programs
• Strong ties to Atlanta’s tech, logistics, and corporate sectors
• A very urban campus with direct access to MARTA and the Midtown business district

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students interested in engineering, computing, data science, business, and design
• Those who want co-ops and internships with Atlanta companies
• Locals looking for strong STEM degrees from a public institution

💡 Atlanta tip: Georgia Tech sits right off the North Avenue and Midtown MARTA stations. Many students live in Midtown, Home Park, West Midtown, and along the Tech Trolley routes.

Georgia State University (GSU)

Location: Downtown Atlanta
Type: Public research university, urban campus

Georgia State’s main campus is woven directly into Downtown Atlanta, with classroom buildings scattered around Peachtree Street, Decatur Street, and Courtland Street.

Known for:

• Large, diverse student body with many Atlanta-area commuters
• Strong programs in business, public policy, criminal justice, education, and the arts
• A highly urban environment—campus buildings blend with office towers, government buildings, and city streets

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students who want to live or work in the city center
• Working adults and transfer students who rely on MARTA and commuter access
• Students interested in fields that connect to law, government, media, and business in downtown

💡 Atlanta tip: The campus is served by Five Points, Peachtree Center, and Georgia State MARTA stations. Many students live in on-campus housing or in nearby neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, and Summerhill.

The Atlanta University Center (AUC): HBCU Consortium

In Southwest Atlanta, just west of downtown, the Atlanta University Center brings together some of the most historically significant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation.

Institutions in the AUC

• Spelman College – Private, women’s liberal arts college
• Morehouse College – Private, men’s liberal arts college
• Clark Atlanta University – Private, co-ed, comprehensive university
• Morehouse School of Medicine – Graduate and professional health sciences institution

These schools share resources, cross-registration options, and a tight-knit campus area centered around MLK Jr. Drive SW, Fair Street SW, and surrounding streets.

Known for:

• Longstanding contributions to Black education, leadership, and culture
• Strong communities and alumni networks in Atlanta and beyond
• Active engagement with Southwest Atlanta neighborhoods

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students seeking an HBCU experience within a major city
• Those drawn to liberal arts, social sciences, STEM, business, and health sciences in a historically rich setting
• Atlanta residents who want a campus with a strong sense of identity and tradition

💡 Atlanta tip: The AUC is accessible via bus routes and is a short drive from downtown. Many students live on or near campus; nearby areas include West End, Ashview Heights, and Vine City.

Emory University (Near Atlanta, Druid Hills Area)

Location: Druid Hills, near the City of Atlanta border
Type: Private research university

While technically outside Atlanta city limits, Emory University is often part of the conversation for “universities in Atlanta” because of its close ties to the city and its location just east of Virginia-Highland and Morningside.

Known for:

• Highly regarded programs in health sciences, medicine, public health, law, business, and the liberal arts
• Proximity to major healthcare institutions like Emory University Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• A more suburban-style campus compared to downtown or Midtown schools

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students focused on healthcare, research, or graduate/professional programs
• Those who prefer a quieter campus environment with easy access to intown neighborhoods
• Atlanta-area residents willing to commute by car, shuttle, or bus

💡 Atlanta tip: Emory operates shuttle services that connect campus to various points in the area. Many students live in nearby neighborhoods like Druid Hills, Decatur, and Emory Village, with intown access via Briarcliff Road and Clifton Road.

Oglethorpe University

Location: Peachtree Road NE, in North Atlanta/Brookhaven area
Type: Private liberal arts university

Oglethorpe offers a small, liberal arts campus feel in the northern part of the metro area, along a major artery (Peachtree Road) that runs straight into Buckhead and Midtown.

Known for:

• Small class sizes and a traditional liberal arts environment
• Programs in arts, humanities, social sciences, and business
• A scenic campus in a quieter residential and commercial area

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students who want a smaller campus but still be within driving distance of intown Atlanta
• Atlanta-area families seeking a liberal arts option close to home
• Those who prefer a more residential, less urban setting

💡 Atlanta tip: Oglethorpe is close to the Brookhaven and Chamblee areas and accessible from GA‑400 and I‑85. Students frequently go into Buckhead and Midtown for internships, jobs, and entertainment.

Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta (SCAD Atlanta)

Location: Peachtree Street NE, Midtown area
Type: Private art and design school (Atlanta campus)

SCAD’s Atlanta campus focuses on creative and design disciplines, with facilities integrated into Midtown’s arts and business districts.

Known for:

• Programs in graphic design, animation, film, fashion, interior design, illustration, and other creative fields
• A professional, portfolio-driven approach to art and design
• Proximity to Atlanta’s media, film, and creative industries

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students focused specifically on creative careers
• Atlanta-area creatives wanting to study design, animation, or film in a city setting
• Those who want to network within Atlanta’s growing film and entertainment scene

💡 Atlanta tip: SCAD Atlanta is close to both the Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations and the Woodruff Arts Center area, making it convenient for students who rely on public transit.

Agnes Scott College (Nearby in Decatur)

Location: Downtown Decatur, just east of Atlanta
Type: Private women’s liberal arts college

Agnes Scott is technically in Decatur, a separate city but part of the core Atlanta metro. It’s often considered when people talk about universities “in Atlanta” due to its close proximity and direct MARTA access.

Known for:

• A women’s college with a strong liberal arts and leadership focus
• Small class sizes and a walkable, historic campus
• Easy access to Atlanta via Decatur MARTA Station

Who it’s a good fit for:

• Students seeking a women’s liberal arts experience with ready access to the city
• Atlanta-area residents who want a close-knit campus community without leaving the metro
• Those who value a walkable downtown environment and nearby urban amenities

Atlanta-Area Community Colleges and Technical Colleges

While not always labeled as “universities,” community and technical colleges are a major part of higher education in Atlanta and often connect to four-year schools.

Common options within the metro area include:

• Atlanta Metropolitan State College (Southwest Atlanta) – Offers associate and some bachelor’s degrees
• Atlanta Technical College (Southwest Atlanta) – Technical and workforce programs
• Other Technical College System of Georgia institutions within commuting distance

These can be good choices for:

• Students looking for more affordable tuition
• Adults seeking career changes, certificates, or technical skills
• Those who plan to transfer later to a four-year university like Georgia State or Georgia Tech

💡 Atlanta tip: Many Atlanta students start at a community or technical college to build credits and then transfer to a four-year university inside the city.

Quick Comparison of Key Atlanta Universities

How to Choose an Atlanta University That Fits You

When you’re comparing universities in Atlanta, keep these local factors in mind:

1. Commute and Transportation

Atlanta’s traffic can significantly shape your experience.

• Relying on MARTA?
  • Georgia State, Georgia Tech, SCAD Atlanta, and Agnes Scott (via Decatur Station) are especially transit-friendly.
• Driving from the suburbs?
  • Consider access to interstates like I‑75/85, I‑20, and GA‑400.
• Want to walk or bike?
  • Intown campuses like Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and schools near the BeltLine make this easier.

2. Campus Environment

Ask yourself:

• Do you prefer a dense, city-integrated campus (Georgia State, parts of Georgia Tech, SCAD Atlanta)?
• A defined, traditional campus near the city (Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Oglethorpe)?
• A suburban-feeling campus with easier parking (Emory, Agnes Scott)?

3. Program Focus

Atlanta’s universities often have signature strengths:

• STEM & Tech: Georgia Tech, Emory, Clark Atlanta
• Business & Finance: Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Clark Atlanta
• Health and Medicine: Emory, Morehouse School of Medicine, local technical colleges
• Arts & Design: SCAD Atlanta, Georgia State, Oglethorpe
• Liberal Arts & Leadership: Spelman, Morehouse, Agnes Scott, Oglethorpe

Match your interests with schools that have strong departments, local partnerships, and internship opportunities in your field.

4. Cost and Financial Aid

Costs vary widely between public universities, private universities, and technical colleges. Many Atlanta residents:

• Start at a community or technical college
• Use in-state tuition at Georgia public universities
• Apply for need-based and merit scholarships at private institutions like Emory, Oglethorpe, Spelman, and others

Living in Atlanta While Attending University

Being in Atlanta means your college experience will often extend beyond campus.

Popular Student Neighborhoods

Depending on where you go to school, common student-heavy areas include:

• Midtown & Home Park – Georgia Tech, SCAD Atlanta
• Downtown & Old Fourth Ward – Georgia State
• West End, Ashview Heights, Vine City – AUC schools
• Decatur & Druid Hills – Emory, Agnes Scott
• Brookhaven & Chamblee – Oglethorpe

Each neighborhood differs in rent prices, walkability, safety, and access to transit, so many students prioritize being near a MARTA station or on a university shuttle route.

Internships and Work

Atlanta is home to:

• Major corporate headquarters
• A growing tech and startup scene
• A large film, TV, and music industry
• Significant healthcare and nonprofit sectors

Universities in Atlanta often have career centers that connect students to local internships and part-time jobs—and many students pick their school partly based on these opportunities.

Practical Next Steps if You’re Considering an Atlanta University

If you’re ready to move from research to action:

1. List your top programs and priorities (major, campus feel, commute, budget).
2. Identify 3–5 Atlanta-area schools that match those criteria.
3. Schedule campus tours or info sessions—most universities offer both in-person and virtual options.
4. Speak with admissions and financial aid offices to understand costs, scholarships, and deadlines.
5. Explore the surrounding neighborhoods—walk or drive around at different times of day to get a feel for daily life there.

Atlanta offers an unusually wide range of college experiences in one metro area, from large public research universities to historic HBCUs, creative schools, and intimate liberal arts campuses. With a clear sense of your goals and how you want to live in the city, you can find a university in or around Atlanta that fits both your academic plans and your day-to-day life.