Top 3 Information Technology Programs in Georgia 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology
Top-ranked IT program with strong industry connections to Delta, Home Depot, and Coca-Cola
Kennesaw State University
Affordable IT education with hands-on labs and strong career services placement
Georgia State University
Urban campus with excellent internship opportunities in Atlanta's tech corridor
- 1.Georgia has 45+ accredited information technology bachelor's programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Georgia Institute of Technology ranks #1 in the state with 88% graduation rate and strong industry partnerships
- 3.Georgia IT professionals earn median $89,420 annually—competitive with national averages (BLS Georgia 2024)
- 4.Atlanta metro area hosts 78,000+ IT jobs with major employers including Delta, NCR, and Equifax
- 5.In-state tuition averages $9,200 at public universities—40% below the national average
Information Technology Education in Georgia
Georgia offers a robust selection of information technology programs, anchored by Georgia Tech's world-renowned engineering school and supported by an extensive University System of Georgia network. The state's growing tech sector, particularly in Atlanta, provides exceptional career opportunities for IT graduates.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national IT bachelor's rankings. Students interested in cost-effective options should explore our most affordable IT programs guide. Career-focused students can review our IT career outcomes guide for detailed salary and employment data.
Georgia's strategic location as a southeastern business hub, combined with the presence of major corporations like Delta, Home Depot, and Coca-Cola, creates unique opportunities for IT students to gain real-world experience through internships and co-op programs.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Georgia May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and accessibility to professors
Georgia-specific IT salaries from BLS OEWS
Acceptance rate indicating program rigor
Georgia Information Technology Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta | Public | $12,682 | 88% | 22:1 | 94.5 |
| 2 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Public | $7,432 | 53% | 21:1 | 87.2 |
| 3 | Georgia State University | Atlanta | Public | $11,858 | 56% | 24:1 | 85.8 |
| 4 | University of Georgia | Athens | Public | $12,080 | 85% | 17:1 | 84.9 |
| 5 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Public | $7,488 | 54% | 22:1 | 82.3 |
| 6 | Emory University | Atlanta | Private | $57,948 | 92% | 9:1 | 81.7 |
| 7 | Mercer University | Macon | Private | $39,276 | 70% | 12:1 | 80.5 |
| 8 | Georgia College | Milledgeville | Public | $9,564 | 67% | 16:1 | 79.8 |
| 9 | Clayton State University | Morrow | Public | $6,970 | 32% | 18:1 | 78.2 |
| 10 | Columbus State University | Columbus | Public | $7,284 | 42% | 19:1 | 77.5 |
| 11 | Augusta University | Augusta | Public | $11,332 | 52% | 20:1 | 76.8 |
| 12 | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Public | $6,398 | 46% | 21:1 | 75.9 |
| 13 | Albany State University | Albany | Public | $6,230 | 34% | 23:1 | 74.3 |
| 14 | Georgia Gwinnett College | Lawrenceville | Public | $5,418 | 31% | 20:1 | 73.8 |
| 15 | Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | Public | $6,380 | 38% | 19:1 | 72.5 |
| 16 | Savannah State University | Savannah | Public | $5,418 | 29% | 22:1 | 71.2 |
| 17 | Georgia Southwestern State | Americus | Public | $6,332 | 43% | 18:1 | 70.8 |
| 18 | Middle Georgia State University | Macon | Public | $4,392 | 28% | 24:1 | 69.5 |
| 19 | South Georgia State College | Douglas | Public | $3,822 | 35% | 20:1 | 68.7 |
| 20 | College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick | Public | $4,284 | 37% | 21:1 | 67.9 |
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • Co-op program places students at Fortune 500 companies
- • Access to Atlanta's thriving tech ecosystem
- • Research opportunities in cybersecurity and data analytics
Program Strengths
- World-class faculty with industry experience at Microsoft, IBM, and Google
- State-of-the-art computing labs and research facilities
- Strong industry partnerships with Delta, NCR, and Coca-Cola
- 88% graduation rate - highest in Georgia
- Average starting salary of $85,000+ for graduates
Why Ranked #1
Georgia Tech's School of Interactive Computing offers a comprehensive IT program that consistently ranks among the nation's top engineering schools. The program combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students for leadership roles in technology.
Student Reviews
"The hands-on learning approach at Georgia Tech prepared me for real-world IT challenges. The career services team helped me land a systems analyst role at Delta before graduation."
— 2024 Graduate
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • Partnership with local tech companies for internships
- • 24/7 access to computing facilities
- • Active student tech organizations
Program Strengths
- Affordable tuition at $7,432 in-state
- Modern computer labs with latest technology
- Industry-experienced faculty
- Strong job placement rates in metro Atlanta
- Flexible scheduling options for working students
Why Ranked #2
KSU offers exceptional value in IT education with modern facilities and strong industry connections. The program emphasizes practical skills development and career readiness at an affordable price point.
Student Reviews
"KSU provided excellent value for my IT education. The professors brought real industry experience into the classroom, and I felt well-prepared for my network administrator role."
— 2024 Graduate
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA • University
Program Highlights
- • Located in heart of Atlanta's business district
- • Partnerships with major Atlanta employers
- • Technology incubator on campus
Program Strengths
- Prime Atlanta location with industry access
- Diverse student body and faculty
- Strong alumni network in Georgia tech sector
- Research opportunities in emerging technologies
- Comprehensive career services and job placement support
Why Ranked #3
Located in downtown Atlanta, GSU's IT program offers students unparalleled access to internships and career opportunities in one of the Southeast's largest tech markets.
Student Reviews
"Being in downtown Atlanta gave me incredible opportunities for internships and networking. The IT program at GSU opened doors I never expected."
— 2024 Graduate
Georgia University Systems for IT Education
Georgia's higher education landscape is dominated by the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes 26 public institutions offering information technology programs. This system provides consistent quality standards while allowing individual schools to develop specialized strengths.
The USG Research Universities (Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, Georgia State) offer the most comprehensive IT programs with research opportunities and advanced coursework. Regional universities like Kennesaw State and Georgia Southern provide excellent value with strong industry connections and practical focus.
Students can also explore related programs in computer science in Georgia or cybersecurity programs for specialized career paths. For broader technology education options, our software engineering programs in Georgia guide covers additional pathways.
- Research Universities: Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State - comprehensive programs with research focus
- Comprehensive Universities: Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern - strong industry partnerships
- Regional Universities: Columbus State, Augusta University - specialized local connections
- Access Institutions: Georgia Gwinnett, Middle Georgia State - affordable entry points
Career Paths
Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1142Manage and maintain computer systems, networks, and servers for organizations across Georgia's diverse industries
Network Administrator
SOC 15-1244Design, implement, and troubleshoot network infrastructure for businesses in Atlanta's growing tech sector
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect organizational data and systems from cyber threats, with high demand in Georgia's financial services sector
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1141Manage database systems for major Georgia employers including Delta, Home Depot, and state government
IT Project Manager
SOC 15-1299Lead technology initiatives and coordinate IT teams for enterprise implementations
IT Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
North Carolina
Virginia
Georgia IT Program Cost Comparison
| Factor | Public In-State | Public Out-of-State | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $8,200 | $24,800 | $42,500 |
| Average Total Cost | $22,400 | $38,900 | $58,200 |
| Financial Aid Available | HOPE Scholarship | Limited | Merit-based |
| 4-Year ROI | $285,000 | $245,000 | $220,000 |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to Atlanta's growing tech sector and job market
- Affordable in-state tuition with HOPE Scholarship eligibility
- Strong industry connections with major employers
- Warm climate and lower cost of living
- Proximity to southeastern business headquarters
- Silicon Valley tech ecosystem and venture capital
- More established tech hubs like Seattle or Austin
- Higher starting salaries (offset by higher living costs)
- More specialized tech companies and startups
- International tech company headquarters
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia IT Programs
Related IT Education Resources
Data Sources
Graduation rates, enrollment data, and tuition information for 2023
State-specific salary data for IT occupations, May 2024
State employment projections and industry analysis
Official enrollment and program data for public universities
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.
