University campus in Georgia
Updated July 13, 2026

Best UX Design Degree Programs in Georgia, 2026 Rankings

Compare the top ux design colleges in Georgia. 21 accredited ux design schools ranked by graduation rate, career outcomes, and value, from Chattahoochee Technical College to Kennesaw State University.

#1 ProgramKennesaw State
Avg Salary$107,450
Tuition From$2,400/yr
Job Growth+22%
On this page
Reviewed by Taylor Rupe, Founder & EditorSee methodology

3

Programs ranked

IPEDS 2024

$107,450

Georgia median ux design salary

BLS OEWS 2024

96.4/100

Top program score

Hakia methodology

16%

U.S. job growth (2023–33)

BLS projections

Key Takeaways

Best ux design degree programs: Kennesaw State, Savannah College of Art a..., Middle Georgia State

Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality

IPEDS 2024

Tuition ranges from $2,400 to $40,095/year

Chattahoochee Technical C... offers the most affordable option at $2,400/yr

IPEDS 2024

UX Design degree programs available: 13 associate's, 1 master's in Georgia

From community college pathways to advanced research degrees

IPEDS 2024

13 online ux design degree programs in Georgia

Flexible scheduling for working professionals

IPEDS 2024

Georgia community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs

13 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees

Education Commission of the States

Major employers: NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft, Calendly

Tech hubs in Atlanta and Savannah

Hakia Research 2026

UX Design degree programs near 64+ cities across Georgia

Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location

IPEDS 2024

Updated July 13, 2026

How we ranked Georgia UX Design programs

We rank 21 accredited ux design programs in Georgia using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.

Program completions (35%)Graduation rate (25%)Selectivity (20%)Career outcomes (20%)
See full methodology

Are UX Design Degree Programs in Georgia Worth It?

Answer
$107,450
Yes. The best ux design degree programs in Georgia deliver strong ROI, graduates earn $107,450 median salary with +22% job growth through 2032. In-state tuition averages $6,801/year.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

UX Design Degree Rankings in Georgia

Compare the top-ranked UX Design programs in Georgia by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.

Best Bachelor's UX Design Programs in Georgia

2
Programs ranked
$7,536
Avg tuition/yr
73%
Avg grad rate

Program Landscape

Georgia ranks among the nation's top destinations for ux design education, with 7 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 3 public and 2 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Kennesaw State, Savannah College of Art a..., Middle Georgia State, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from Georgia ux design programs earn a median salary of $91,333, 7% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft.

Costs & Value

Tuition ranges from $2,426 to $40,095 annually, with an average of $14,376/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 75%, with the highest reaching 96%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.

Curriculum & Specializations

Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Georgia's leading technology employers. For students seeking ux design degrees in Georgia, these top-ranked ux design schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.

Best Master's UX Design Programs in Georgia

1
Programs ranked
$10,512
Avg tuition/yr
94%
Avg grad rate

Program Landscape

Georgia offers 1 master's degree programs in ux design, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Georgia, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.

Career Outcomes

Master's graduates in Georgia earn a median salary of $107,450, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft actively recruiting from these programs.

Costs & Value

Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $9,790/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.

Curriculum & Specializations

Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Georgia's ux design schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.

UX Design Degree Costs & Tuition in Georgia

MetricValue
Average in-state tuition$6,801/year
Average out-of-state tuition$17,003/year
Community college tuition$1,700/year
4-year savings for residents$40,808
2+2 transfer pathway savings$10,202

Source: IPEDS 2024

Financial Aid & Scholarships for UX Design Students in Georgia

Most students don't pay sticker price. Between federal aid, state grants, scholarships, and employer programs, a ux design degree in Georgia costs less than the published tuition. But you have to know what's available and hit the deadlines.

FAFSA first.

File the FAFSA as soon as it opens (October 1). Pell Grants go up to $7,395/year (2024-25) and don't need to be repaid. Federal Direct Loans have better terms than private loans. Work-study gives you part-time hours that fit your class schedule.

Georgia state aid: The Georgia state grants and other state programs offer grant money for Georgia residents at public universities. You'll need financial need and decent grades to qualify. Some states also have loan forgiveness for grads who stay and work in-state.

Tech scholarships: Google, Microsoft, and NSF all offer ux design scholarships. Many target underrepresented groups in computing. Worth applying even if you think you won't get them.

Merit scholarships: Most Georgia universities have automatic merit awards based on GPA and test scores, from $1,000/year up to full tuition. Check each school's scholarship grid on their financial aid page. Your stats might be worth more at one school than another.

Employer tuition programs: Amazon's Career Choice covers up to $5,250/year. Starbucks, UPS, Walmart, and others have similar programs for part-time employees. If you're working, check what your employer offers before borrowing.

Other ways to cut costs: AP/CLEP exams let you skip courses ($3,000+ saved per course). Two years at community college first (associate's programs). Summer enrollment to graduate in three years. Living off-campus or at home. See our affordable UX Design programs for the cheapest options.

UX Design Degree ROI Calculator, Georgia

Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a ux design degree in Georgia. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.

UX Design Degree ROI Calculator

Estimate your return on investment for a ux design degree

Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type

20 years
10 years20 years30 years
20-Year ROI

+487%

Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.

Net Gain

$901,187

Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.

Break-Even

6 years

Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.

COL-Adjusted Salary

$100,000

Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.

Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.

Detailed Breakdown

How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data

Total Investment$185,000

Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)

Program Cost (Tuition)$45,000

Direct cost of the degree program

Opportunity Cost$140,000

4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time

20-Year Earnings (with degree)$1,936,595

Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth

20-Year Earnings (without degree)$850,408

What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth

Starting Salary (Atlanta, GA)$100,000

Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)

Annualized Return3.2%

Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)

Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com

UX Design Salaries by Metro Area

Median annual salary in Georgia metro areas

Atlanta$118K
Savannah$113K
Augusta$107K
View data table
CategoryValue
Atlanta$118K
Savannah$113K
Augusta$107K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

Hakia.com

Top Employers Hiring UX Design Graduates in Georgia

Find ux design jobs in Georgia. These major employers across Georgia metro areas are actively hiring ux design degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.

UX Design Jobs in Atlanta

GA

Atlanta is a major tech hub anchored by Georgia Tech, with strong fintech, retail tech, and enterprise software sectors.

Nearby cities: Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Buckhead, Midtown

Microsoft
Enterprise Software/Cloud
Google
Search/Cloud/AI
Salesforce
Enterprise CRM
NCR Corporation
Financial Tech/POS
The Home Depot
Retail Tech
Delta Air Lines
Aviation Tech
Mailchimp (Intuit)
Marketing Tech
Cox Enterprises
Media/Telecom
Equifax
Data/Financial Services
Cardlytics
Fintech

Georgia Tech Industry & Infrastructure

Georgia's tech market is anchored by Atlanta — one of the strongest US tech metros outside Silicon Valley and the East Coast core. Augusta hosts a globally significant cybersecurity cluster around Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon) and the Army Cyber Center of Excellence. The state combines no-state-income-tax for tech expansion, the HOPE Scholarship pipeline filling Georgia Tech, and a deep enterprise-IT employer base.

Atlanta

Atlanta metro

Headquarters for Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, Delta, NCR Voyix, Mailchimp (Intuit), Square/Block, and dozens of Fortune 500 IT operations. Strong fintech (Atlanta has been called 'Transaction Alley' for payments), e-commerce, and enterprise-software markets. Georgia Tech is the principal feeder for senior tech roles.

Augusta / Fort Eisenhower

Augusta metro

Home to the Army Cyber Center of Excellence and U.S. Cyber Command operations. Largest US concentration of military cybersecurity professionals outside DC. Cyber-cleared engineering roles dominate the local market, with substantial private-sector cybersecurity employment around the base.

Savannah

Savannah metro

Logistics-tech (Port of Savannah is the 3rd-largest US container port), defense (Gulfstream Aerospace), and an emerging consumer/startup tech scene. Smaller market but growing.

Georgia has a flat state income tax (5.39% in 2026, declining). The Georgia Investment Tax Credit and Quality Jobs Tax Credit are the principal state-level tech-employer incentives.

Georgia Regulation Affecting UX Design Graduates

Georgia has not enacted a comprehensive consumer privacy law in the CCPA/VCDPA mold, but the state's cybercrime statutes, identity-theft protections, and active legislation around AI in state government shape the engineering compliance environment.

Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act

Requires businesses to notify Georgia residents of data breaches involving personal information; sets minimum standards for data security practices.

Standard breach-notification compliance for any GA-resident-serving business.

Read more

Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (O.C.G.A. § 16-9-90 et seq.)

State-level cybercrime statute covering unauthorized computer access, computer trespass, computer theft, and identity theft. Establishes Georgia jurisdiction over cyber offenses.

Particularly relevant for cybersecurity, incident response, and ethical-hacking work performed within Georgia.

Read more

Georgia consumer privacy legislation (proposed)

Multiple sessions have seen bills introduced to create CCPA-style privacy rights; none has passed as of 2026.

Engineers should watch this — Georgia passing comprehensive privacy would materially change tech compliance overhead in Atlanta-headquartered businesses.

Read more

Professional Engineer Licensure in Georgia

Georgia does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. ABET-EAC accreditation is recognized for traditional engineering PE tracks; software engineering is not a recognized Georgia PE discipline. For cybersecurity professionals, federal clearance requirements (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) are far more relevant in the Augusta market than PE licensure.

Georgia licensing board

Georgia Financial Aid Programs

HOPE Scholarship

State merit scholarship

Covers a portion of tuition at GA public schools; varies

Georgia high school graduates with 3.0+ GPA attending eligible GA colleges/universities

Zell Miller Scholarship

State merit scholarship (top tier)

Full standard undergraduate tuition at GA public schools

Georgia HS grads with 3.7+ GPA + qualifying SAT/ACT scores at eligible GA institutions

HOPE Grant

State grant

Covers tuition at GA technical colleges

GA residents pursuing certificates or diplomas at GA technical colleges (no GPA requirement)

Up to ~$900/yr

GA residents attending eligible private GA institutions

REACH Georgia Scholarship

State mentorship + scholarship

$2,500-$10,000 toward college, often paired with HOPE

Selected low-income Georgia students starting in 8th grade who maintain academic standing

Transfer Pathways for UX Design Degrees in Georgia

Two years at community college, then transfer. You save $10,202+ and end up with the same bachelor's degree as someone who started at the four-year school. It's one of the smartest plays for a ux design degree in Georgia. See associate's programs to get started.

How 2+2 works: Get your Associate of Science (AS) at a community college, then transfer into a bachelor's program. Most Georgia community colleges have pre-engineering or pre-CS tracks designed to line up with university requirements, so you don't waste credits. See our best UX Design bachelor's programs for top transfer destinations.

Transfer agreements: the state transfer system ensures core courses transfer between public institutions in Georgia. Many community colleges have guaranteed admission agreements with state universities. Keep a 3.0+ GPA and you're guaranteed a spot in the ux design program.

Don't waste credits.

Talk to an advisor and follow the transfer guide for your target university from day one. Get Calculus I & II and intro Computer Programming done at the community college. Competitive programs want a 3.5+ GPA for transfer.

Cost: Community college in Georgia averages $1,700/year. Pell Grants and state aid can cover that entirely for eligible students. Some people finish their first two years debt-free, then only borrow for the university portion. See our affordable UX Design programs for cheap bachelor's completion options.

UX Design Job Growth in Georgia

15%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% growth for ux design occupations in Georgia through 2024-2034. The median salary stands at $107,450 with 21 accredited programs statewide.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook

UX Design Job Market & Salary Data in Georgia

Software developers in Georgia earn a median of $107,450 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 15% projected growth through 2034. The BLS projects about 129,200 annual openings nationwide for software development roles. For more compensation data, see our software developer salary guide.

Most of that growth is in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity, with NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft hiring heavily.

By experience level: Entry-level ux design roles in Georgia start at $69,843 (BLS data). Mid-career pays about $107,450. Senior engineers and tech leads hit $155,803+. AI/ML, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity roles often pay 20-40% above those numbers.

Who's hiring: NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft, plus Calendly, OneTrust, Cardlytics all recruit from Georgia schools. Expect competitive comp, signing bonuses, and relocation packages. Check LinkedIn, Indeed, and Built In for current listings.

Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)

New graduates and career changers

Senior (8+ yrs)

Technical leads and architects

Median Salary in Georgia$69,843$155,803
Typical RolesJunior Developer, AnalystStaff Engineer, Architect
Remote Work AccessLimitedCommon
Degree ExpectationBachelor's sufficientMaster's preferred

Online vs On-Campus UX Design Programs in Georgia

Online Programs

13 available in Georgia

On-Campus Programs

Traditional classroom experience

Typical Tuition$6,121/yr$6,801/yr
Schedule FlexibilitySelf-paced or asyncFixed schedule
NetworkingVirtual cohortsIn-person, career fairs
Best ForWorking professionalsTraditional students
Completion Time2-4 years (flexible)4 years (standard)

Compare UX Design Programs in Other States

UX Design Degree Programs in Georgia: FAQ

What are the best ux design degree programs in Georgia?
The best ux design degree programs in Georgia based on our methodology are: 1) Kennesaw State University (66% graduation rate), 2) Savannah College of Art and Design, and 3) Middle Georgia State University. Our rankings weight graduation rates (25%), program completions (35%), selectivity (20%), and career outcomes (20%). Georgia offers 21 total accredited programs across 17 public and 2 private institutions. See our complete rankings for all 7 bachelor's programs.
How much do ux design degree programs cost in Georgia?
UX Design degree program costs in Georgia vary significantly by institution type. In-state public tuition averages $6,801/year, while private institutions average $14,962/year. Community colleges offer the most affordable path at approximately $1,700/year for associate's degrees. The total 4-year cost ranges from $27,204 at public schools to $59,849 at private institutions before financial aid. Most students don't pay full sticker price, federal grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships can reduce costs by 30-60%.
What salary can ux design degree graduates earn in Georgia?
UX Design professionals in Georgia earn a median salary of $107,450, which is competitive with the national average of $115,500. Entry-level positions typically start around $69,843, while senior roles exceed $155,803. Salaries vary by metro area: Atlanta ($118,195), Savannah ($112,823) offer the highest compensation. Specialized roles like AI/ML engineers and cloud architects command premiums of 15-30% above median.
Are there online ux design degree programs in Georgia?
Yes, Georgia offers 13 accredited online UX Design programs from state institutions. These programs award the same degree as on-campus options and include synchronous and asynchronous formats. Top-ranked online programs include offerings from University of Georgia and Albany Technical College. Online programs typically cost the same as on-campus tuition for in-state students. Many programs offer flexible scheduling for working professionals, with some offering accelerated completion in 2-3 years. Ensure any online program holds regional accreditation and ideally ABET accreditation for engineering programs.
What companies hire ux design degree graduates in Georgia?
Major UX Design employers in Georgia include NCR, Mailchimp, SalesLoft, Calendly, OneTrust. The Atlanta and Savannah metro areas serve as primary tech hubs with thousands of open positions. Top employers maintain recruiting pipelines directly from Georgia universities, with many offering internship-to-hire programs. Beyond tech giants, opportunities exist in healthcare IT, financial services, defense contractors, and growing startups. Georgia's tech sector shows +22% projected job growth through 2033, outpacing most other industries.
Is an ux design degree program worth it in Georgia?
An ux design degree program in Georgia offers strong ROI with a $107,450 median salary and +22% projected job growth. At average in-state tuition of $6,801/year, graduates typically recoup their educational investment within 3-5 years. The degree opens doors to high-paying careers in software development ($121,418), data science, cybersecurity, and AI/ML. Beyond salary, benefits include job security, remote work flexibility, and clear advancement paths. Alternative paths like bootcamps exist for career changers, but bachelor's degrees provide broader career options and higher lifetime earnings.
How long do ux design degree programs take in Georgia?
Standard completion times for ux design degree programs in Georgia are: Associate's (2 years, 60 credits), Bachelor's (4 years, 120 credits), and Master's (1-2 years, 30-36 credits). However, actual timelines vary based on course load, transfer credits, and program format. Accelerated programs can compress a bachelor's to 3 years or a master's to 12 months. Part-time students typically need 5-6 years for a bachelor's degree. Georgia community colleges offer a cost-effective "2+2" path: complete your associate's in 2 years, then transfer to a Georgia university for the final 2 years of a bachelor's program.
What financial aid is available for ux design degree students in Georgia?
Georgia ux design degree students can access multiple financial aid sources. Federal aid includes Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year for qualifying students) and federal student loans. Georgia state grants provide additional support for residents attending in-state schools. Institutional scholarships from universities can significantly reduce costs, many schools offer merit-based awards for STEM students. Work-study programs and teaching/research assistantships (especially for graduate students) provide income while building experience. Complete the FAFSA by Georgia's priority deadline to maximize aid eligibility. Some employers also offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing CS degrees.

Data Sources

Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates

Georgia salary and employment data

Official University Websites

Program details and admissions information

Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.

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Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)

Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.

The research behind the rankings

In-depth UX Design program profiles in Georgia

Hand-researched detail on the top-ranked programs: degree pathways, research labs, industry partners, career outcomes, and admissions. Tap any school to expand.

Best Bachelor's UX Design programs

#2Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA

Why it stands out. Kennesaw State emphasizes applied, client-facing UX projects integrated throughout the curriculum, with direct pipeline partnerships to Atlanta-area tech employers.

Hakia insight. Kennesaw's location 15 minutes from Home Depot HQ isn't just proximity—it means direct mentorship pipelines and internship pathways that often convert to full-time offers before graduation, a advantage that explains why Atlanta tech employers actively recruit there over more prestigious but distant programs.

At the bachelor's level, kennesaw State's UX design education sits within a computer science and information systems framework that prioritizes applied, project-based learning over pure theory. Students engage with real-world design challenges through partnerships with regional tech companies and startups, tackling problems in healthcare IT, fintech, and enterprise software from day one. The program emphasizes the full design lifecycle—research, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative refinement—with courses spanning interaction design, information architecture, and user research methods. Faculty bring industry experience from companies like Home Depot and Delta Air Lines, both headquartered in the Atlanta metro area, and the curriculum reflects what these employers actually need: designers who can bridge technical constraints with user empathy. Capstone projects often result in deployed applications or design systems used by real organizations, giving graduates portfolio pieces that demonstrate impact beyond coursework. The location near Atlanta's growing tech corridor provides internship pipelines and networking with UX teams at established companies, though the program itself maintains a practical, hands-on identity rather than positioning itself as a research-intensive institution.

Programs offered

  • Bachelor of Science in UX Design · 4 years · on-campus
  • Bachelor of Arts in UX Design · 4 years · online

Industry partners

Home DepotDelta Air Lines

Career outcomes

Top employers: Google

Location advantage: Proximity to Home Depot HQ Access to Atlanta tech startup ecosystem Internship opportunities with Delta Air Lines and regional fintech companies