Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Georgia 2025
University of Georgia
279 Software Engineering graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Georgia State University
357 Software Engineering graduates annually, 94% graduation rate
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
157 Software Engineering graduates annually, 76% graduation rate
- 1.Georgia has 15+ accredited software engineering and related programs across public universities and private institutions
- 2.Georgia Institute of Technology ranks as the state's top program with 93% graduation rate and salaries
- 3.Georgia software developers earn median $98,340 annually, slightly below national average but with significantly lower cost of living
- 4.Atlanta metro area employs 45,000+ software developers with major employers including NCR, Manhattan Associates, and Coca-Cola
- 5.In-state tuition at public universities ranges from $7,348 to $12,682, making Georgia an excellent value for software engineering education
Software Engineering Education in Georgia
Georgia offers a compelling combination of high-quality software engineering education and affordable tuition through its University System of Georgia. Led by the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, the state provides pathways from community colleges to research universities, all within driving distance of Atlanta's growing tech sector.
The state's software engineering programs emphasize practical skills, with many offering cooperative education programs and internships with major employers like NCR, Home Depot, and Delta Air Lines. For national context, see our best software engineering bachelor's programs ranking. Students considering cost should review our most affordable software engineering programs guide.
Georgia's tech ecosystem extends beyond Atlanta to include growing hubs in Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah. The state offers competitive salaries relative to cost of living, making it an attractive destination for software engineering graduates. Our software engineer salary guide provides detailed compensation data for Georgia markets.
Georgia Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | Public | $9,790 | 95% | — | 86.1 |
| 2 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | Public | $7,158 | 94% | — | 84.9 |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $10,258 | 76% | — | 77.4 |
| 4 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | Public | $4,450 | 66% | — | 75.7 |
| 5 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | Private | $59,920 | 97% | — | 74.4 |
| 6 | Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA | Private | $27,984 | 91% | — | 56.9 |
| 7 | Mercer University | Macon, GA | Private | $33,080 | 88% | — | 50.8 |
| 8 | Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta, GA | Private | $23,484 | 85% | — | 48.7 |
| 9 | Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | Private | $40,140 | 96% | — | 48.2 |
| 10 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | Public | $7,508 | 79% | — | 45.9 |
| 11 | Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | Public | $4,064 | — | — | 41.9 |
| 12 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | Public | $4,371 | 94% | — | 40.7 |
| 13 | Herzing University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Private | $12,360 | 86% | — | 39.2 |
| 14 | Augusta University | Augusta, GA | Public | $6,892 | 73% | — | 39 |
| 15 | Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | Public | $4,064 | 86% | — | 36 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Georgia: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Georgia | Georgia State | Georgia Institute of... | Emory | Kennesaw State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,790 | $7,158 | $10,258 | $59,920 | $4,450 |
| Graduation Rate | 95% | 94% | 76% | 97% | 66% |
| Annual Graduates | 279 | 357 | 190 | 89 | 253 |
| Acceptance Rate | 37% | 62% | 16% | 11% | 69% |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Private | Public |
| Score | 86.1/100 | 84.9/100 | 79.9/100 | 78.1/100 | 70.2/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Georgia
Georgia offers 15 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Emory University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $75,215 in the Georgia market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Georgia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Georgia | $9,790 | 95% | 279 | 86.1 |
| #2 Georgia State | $7,158 | 94% | 357 | 84.9 |
| #3 Emory | $59,920 | 97% | 89 | 78.1 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Georgia
For graduate study, Georgia offers 10 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Georgia reaching $139,685 or more.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Georgia
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Georgia Institute of... | $10,258 | 76% | 190 | 79.9 |
| #2 Kennesaw State | $4,450 | 66% | 253 | 70.2 |
| #3 Georgia State | $7,158 | 94% | 99 | 71.1 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Georgia
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Georgia are at Georgia Southwestern State University ($4,064/year), Clayton State University ($4,064/year), Georgia Southern University ($4,371/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Georgia's competitive tech salaries.
At Georgia Southwestern State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $16,256 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $75,215, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Georgia (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Georgia Southwestern State | $4,064 | $16,256 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 Clayton State | $4,064 | $16,256 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #3 Georgia Southern | $4,371 | $17,484 | 0.4 years | Public |
University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,790 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 279 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 37%
- • Ranking Score: 86.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 279 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 86.1 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (279 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (37% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,158 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 94% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 357 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 62%
- • Ranking Score: 84.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 94% graduation rate
- 357 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 84.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (94%), program size (357 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (62% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $10,258 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 76% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 190 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 16%
- • Ranking Score: 79.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 76% graduation rate
- 190 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 79.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (76%), program size (190 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (16% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Georgia Tech's Computer Engineering program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering microprocessors to cloud computing with customizable thread-based specializations. The program emphasizes teamwork and interdisciplinary problem solving through required capstone experiences and covers important modern systems like smartphones, IoT, and cloud computing.
Admission Prerequisites
- •mathematics courses at the calculus level and higher
- •natural science courses including both lecture and laboratory components
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.3
- Transfer Friendly
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $59,920 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 89 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 11%
- • Ranking Score: 78.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 89 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 78.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (89 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (11% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Emory's Computer Science program offers multiple degree paths including joint degrees with Mathematics and Economics, plus a 4+1 accelerated program. The department features award-winning faculty conducting cutting-edge research in AI, machine learning, and bioinformatics, with PhD students receiving full tuition and competitive stipend support.
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,450 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 66% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 253 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 70.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 66% graduation rate
- 253 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 70.2 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (66%), program size (253 graduates), state salary outcomes ($107,450), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
KSU's Software Engineering program is recognized as a Top 20 school students want to attend by U.S. News and World Report, offers flexible course options including online and hybrid formats, and provides hands-on training through labs with small class sizes for personalized attention.
Available Scholarships
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.0
- Transfer Friendly
Program Details
- Credits: 120
Career Outcomes
- Top Employers: 7,100+ Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop applications for Georgia's diverse economy including fintech, logistics, and healthcare technology sectors.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Manage cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines for Atlanta's growing number of SaaS companies and enterprises.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect systems and data for Georgia's banking, healthcare, and government sectors, with particular opportunities in Augusta's cyber corridor.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze data for retail giants like Home Depot, logistics companies, and Atlanta's thriving fintech sector.
University System of Georgia Software Engineering Programs
The University System of Georgia provides an affordable pathway to software engineering education across its 26 institutions. The system includes comprehensive research universities, regional universities, and state colleges, all offering competitive in-state tuition rates for Georgia residents.
Georgia Institute of Technology stands as the flagship engineering institution, consistently ranked among the top programs nationally. Regional universities like Georgia Southern, Kennesaw State, and Augusta University provide quality education with strong local industry connections. The Georgia software engineering curriculum guide details what to expect across these programs.
Many Georgia institutions offer cooperative education and internship programs, particularly valuable given the state's growing technology sector. Atlanta serves as the primary tech hub, but opportunities exist statewide in Augusta (cyber security), Savannah (logistics technology), and Columbus (financial technology).
For students considering online options, several Georgia institutions offer hybrid and fully online software engineering degrees. Our best online software engineering degrees guide includes Georgia programs with strong distance learning reputations.
Other Tech Degree Programs in Georgia
Software Engineering Programs by State
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
North Carolina
Virginia
Colorado
Arizona
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to a top-10 engineering program (Georgia Tech) at public school prices
- Strong connections to Atlanta's growing tech ecosystem
- Affordable in-state tuition across multiple quality programs
- Cooperative education opportunities with major employers
- Lower cost of living compared to Silicon Valley or Northeast
- Growing job market in fintech, cybersecurity, and logistics technology
- Access to Silicon Valley's tech concentration
- Higher average starting salaries (California, Washington)
- Larger variety of specialized tech programs
- More venture capital and startup ecosystem access
- International tech company headquarters
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Software Engineering Programs
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific software engineering salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Software Engineering Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data
Georgia-specific salary and employment data
State employment projections and workforce data
Official tuition and program information
Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
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.