Georgia university campus with Southern architecture and modern tech facilities
Updated December 2025

Best IT Programs in Georgia 2025

Ranking 20+ accredited information technology programs across Georgia. Georgia Tech leads with 88% graduation rate and direct pipeline to Atlanta's thriving tech sector.

Programs Ranked20
Total in State45+
Median Salary$89,420
Job Growth+22%

Top 3 Information Technology Programs in Georgia 2025

🥇 #1

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GAPublic

Top-ranked IT program with strong industry connections to Delta, Home Depot, and Coca-Cola

$13K
Tuition/yr
88%
Grad Rate
94.5
Score
🥈 #2

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GAPublic

Affordable IT education with hands-on labs and strong career services placement

$7K
Tuition/yr
53%
Grad Rate
87.2
Score
🥉 #3

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GAPublic

Urban campus with excellent internship opportunities in Atlanta's tech corridor

$12K
Tuition/yr
56%
Grad Rate
85.8
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 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.

Ranking Methodology

Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Georgia May 2024

Graduation Rate40%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data

Student-Faculty Ratio30%

Class size and accessibility to professors

Career Outcomes20%

Georgia-specific IT salaries from BLS OEWS

Selectivity10%

Acceptance rate indicating program rigor

Georgia Information Technology Program Rankings 2025

Rank
1Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaPublic$12,68288%22:194.5
2Kennesaw State UniversityKennesawPublic$7,43253%21:187.2
3Georgia State UniversityAtlantaPublic$11,85856%24:185.8
4University of GeorgiaAthensPublic$12,08085%17:184.9
5Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboroPublic$7,48854%22:182.3
6Emory UniversityAtlantaPrivate$57,94892%9:181.7
7Mercer UniversityMaconPrivate$39,27670%12:180.5
8Georgia CollegeMilledgevillePublic$9,56467%16:179.8
9Clayton State UniversityMorrowPublic$6,97032%18:178.2
10Columbus State UniversityColumbusPublic$7,28442%19:177.5
11Augusta UniversityAugustaPublic$11,33252%20:176.8
12Valdosta State UniversityValdostaPublic$6,39846%21:175.9
13Albany State UniversityAlbanyPublic$6,23034%23:174.3
14Georgia Gwinnett CollegeLawrencevillePublic$5,41831%20:173.8
15Fort Valley State UniversityFort ValleyPublic$6,38038%19:172.5
16Savannah State UniversitySavannahPublic$5,41829%22:171.2
17Georgia Southwestern StateAmericusPublic$6,33243%18:170.8
18Middle Georgia State UniversityMaconPublic$4,39228%24:169.5
19South Georgia State CollegeDouglasPublic$3,82235%20:168.7
20College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswickPublic$4,28437%21:167.9
#1

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GAUniversity

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

#2

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GAUniversity

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

#3

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GAUniversity

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
$65,000
Starting Salary
$95,000
Mid-Career
+22%
Job Growth
4,200
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Systems Administrator

SOC 15-1142
+8%

Manage and maintain computer systems, networks, and servers for organizations across Georgia's diverse industries

Median Salary:$89,420

Network Administrator

SOC 15-1244
+5%

Design, implement, and troubleshoot network infrastructure for businesses in Atlanta's growing tech sector

Median Salary:$84,810

Protect organizational data and systems from cyber threats, with high demand in Georgia's financial services sector

Median Salary:$103,590

Database Administrator

SOC 15-1141
+8%

Manage database systems for major Georgia employers including Delta, Home Depot, and state government

Median Salary:$98,860

IT Project Manager

SOC 15-1299
+11%

Lead technology initiatives and coordinate IT teams for enterprise implementations

Median Salary:$116,000

IT Programs in Other States

Georgia IT Program Cost Comparison

FactorPublic In-StatePublic Out-of-StatePrivate
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?

Choose Georgia if you want:
  • 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
Look elsewhere if you prefer:
  • 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

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.