Community colleges, also called junior colleges or two-year colleges, offer a mix of academic and vocational programs. They are open to all, making education accessible to various people, from recent high school grads to adults looking to advance careers. These colleges are usually more affordable than four-year universities, and they often offer financial aid to help cover costs like tuition and books.
Students can earn associate degrees in about two years or complete shorter certificate programs focusing on specific skills. Many community colleges have agreements with four-year schools, allowing students to transfer credits and continue toward a bachelor’s degree.
Apart from academic programs, community colleges also provide vocational training in fields like healthcare, IT, and trades. These programs aim to equip students with practical skills for jobs in specific industries. We have curated a list of the top ten best community colleges in Georgia to help you choose the one(s) that suit you. We have provided information on their academic offerings, tuition, financial aid, etc to help you choose. Once you have selected which college you want to apply to, ensure that you visit the school’s website to access additional information.
Best Community Colleges in Georgia
Top community colleges in Georgia
Oconee Fall Line Technical College located in Sandersville is one of the best community colleges in Georgia. Aside from being among the best community colleges in Georgia, it is also very affordable to attend, the college offers financial support such as scholarships for students who are interested in careers in mining and agriculture.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College offers many certificate and diploma programs, covering areas such as early childhood program management and tax preparation. Students also have the opportunity to pursue specialized credentials in radiologic technology, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging, imaging science, and computed tomography. The college also offers eight diesel equipment technology programs, including an associate degree option.
Furthermore, OFTC offers associate programs in healthcare management, cybersecurity, nursing, and accounting. A distinctive feature of the college is its two-year curriculum guarantee: if graduates feel their program didn’t sufficiently prepare them for employment in the industry, OFTC offers retraining at no additional cost. The tuition for these programs is $3979.
2. Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College located in Atlanta was established in 1945 as a vocational school, This college offers associate, certificate, diploma, and continuing education programs to over 4000 students yearly.
ATC allows students to transfer their associate degrees in forensics, accounting, bioscience technology, and supply chain management. Students who are interested in an associate of computer information systems can specialize in cyber security and databases.
The school also offers certificate programs in pharmacy assisting, welding and joining technology, and electrical systems technology. Individuals who are already employed but want to advance their education can attend classes during weekends, weeknights, or online.
Applicants for this college are required to submit their academic transcripts along with standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS. Atlanta Technical College (ATC) offers affordable tuition rates tailored to the residency status of the students.
To make college education affordable, this college offers various forms of financial aid, including benefits for veterans, federal funding, and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for private scholarships like the AGL Resources Scholarship, which specifically supports careers in trades. The average cost of tuition for this college is $2882.
3. Lanier Technical College
Lanier Technical College established in 1964 is located in Oakwood, Georgia. The school’s main aim is to churn out qualified individuals who can excel in the many industries in the state. Lanier Technical College offers associate programs in emergency management, business management, and fire science technology. Students who are looking to study from the comfort of their homes can learn online through the Blackboard platform.
The college also offers on-campus programs such as paramedicine, dental hygiene, and horticulture. There are very few community colleges in Georgia that offer associate degrees in wireless engineering technology and Lanier College is on of them.
Students who are enrolled in the wireless engineering technology program learn about antenna theory and mobile site equipment applications. Lanier Technical is very affordable and charges the same tuition regardless of residence. In addition to the affordable $4325 per semester tuition, students may apply for LTC foundational scholarships, federal aid, and state funding.
4. Savannah Technical College
Savannah Technical College serves a student body of over 4,500 across its campuses in Liberty, Effingham, and Chatham counties. Offering associate-level education, the institution specializes in fields such as restaurant and tourism management, construction management, early childhood care and education, and hotel management.
STC distinguishes itself from other community colleges by providing an associate degree program in historic preservation and restoration, comprising 71 credits. Coursework includes project and small business management, architectural print reading, and material science focusing on materials like plaster, masonry, and stained glass.
In addition to associate programs, STC offers technical certificate programs in industries like aviation technology and precision manufacturing. Emphasizing career-driven education, the college maintains affordable tuition rates based on residency status.
Students enjoy access to federal and state financial aid, as well as institutional funding. Scholarships like the Brenda L. Rucker Champion Scholarship for African American aviation enthusiasts and the Career Advancement Program Scholarship for returning students further support students’ educational pursuits. The tuition for these programs is $5481.
5. Coastal Pines Technical College
Coastal Pines Technical College Located in Waycross operates multiple campuses across Georgia State. This college’s course offerings include associates in healthcare science, environmental horticulture, business technology, and criminal justice.
Students who are interested in learning a trade can enroll for vocational training in welding and joining technology, electrical line work, and air conditioning technology. Students have the opportunity to pursue an occupational certificate in cosmetology, with concentrations available in hair design and shampoo technology. To accommodate diverse student needs, the college provides a distance education platform offering fully remote classes. Additionally, distance learners have the option to obtain one of five associate degrees entirely online.
Coastal Pine College is easy to get into, it offers dual enrollment to state high school students and approved homeschoolers. It is one of the best community colleges in Georgia with affordable tuition. Tuition costs around $3823 per year; students can take advantage of financial aid opportunities, including the HOPE Career Grant and private scholarships.
6. South Georgia Technical College
Located in Americus, South Georgia Technical College is one of the best community colleges in Georgia. It is also the second oldest community college in Georgia State. This college offers over 200 diploma, certificate, and associate programs.
These programs include associate programs in sports and fitness management, and early childhood care and education, accounting, and computer support. Individuals who are interested in learning a trade can enroll in commercial wiring, practical nursing, and aircraft structural technology programs. Distance learners take their classes online via the Blackboard platform.
SGTC offers very affordable tuition, students pay tuition based on their programs instead of residency status. Active military personnel and veterans also receive financial aid. Students can apply for state grants, federal aid, and private awards such as the Zen Miller Scholarship for excellent students.
7. Southeastern Technical College
Southeastern Technical College located in Vidalia has since its inception in 1963 been among the best community colleges in Georgia. STC offers associate, certificate, and diploma programs in over 20 courses. Students who do not want to go through the hassle of attending classes on campus can take advantage of the online or hybrid learning format.
Individuals who are interested in occupational certificates can enroll in programs in healthcare office assisting, electrical construction, and automotive engine repair. At STC, there are six computer information systems certificates with specializations in website development and cybercrime specialist.
For associate degrees, students can enroll in accounting, electronics technology, healthcare management, and two nursing programs. One nursing program is a traditional, two-year program that leads to an associate of science. The average cost of tuition for this college is $3216.
8. Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College located in Rome offers affordable education to individuals to develop the workforce in Georgia.
Individuals who want to pursue their education remotely can opt for the full online associate programs offered through the Blackboard platform. GNTC offers programs such as website design and development, accounting, and business healthcare technology.
This college also offers an associate of logistics and supply chain management; this course prepares students for careers in import/export, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sales. Individuals who want to gain trade and technical knowledge can opt for certificate programs in computerized accounting, patient care assisting, and aviation maintenance technology.
GNTC is easy to get into, prospective students are required to complete an online application and pass the placement exam (or submit adequate ACT/SAT results). In addition to being one of the best community colleges in Georgia, GNTC offers very affordable tuition rates which are charged based on residence. The average cost of tuition at this college is $3774.
9. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Wiregrass Georgian Technical College which was established in 1963 is one of the best community colleges in Georgia. The school provides diplomas, associate degrees at four campuses and 12 learning centers, and practical certificates; all of these are focused on skills needed in various industries.
WGTC like other community colleges in Georgia allows students the flexibility of online learning and dual-enrollment. Students who are interested in career-focused programs can enroll in certificate programs in surgical technology, culinary arts, patient care assisting, and industrial electrician work.
The college allows students to transfer their associate degrees in programs like engineering technology, nursing, website design, and computer programming. WGTC is home to the Georgia Teacher Academy of Preparation and Pedagogy, a program that offers an alternative path to teacher education and licensure for people who have degrees in fields unrelated to education.
Aside from offering affordable tuition and financial assistance, WGTC also assists students in reducing costs with a comprehensive transfer policy. This policy allows candidates to earn credits through various means, including portfolio items, professional certifications/licensures, standardized test scores, previous college courses, and training from military, corporate, and apprenticeship programs.
10. Ogeechee Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College located in Statesboro was founded in 1986 as part of the Technical College System of Georgia. Currently, OTC offers academic programs tailored to careers in fields such as paramedicine technology, agribusiness, and fish and wildlife management.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to pursue a pharmacy technology diploma, which covers essential skills like medication sterilization and dispensing. To enhance their learning, candidates complete a practicum to gain practical, hands-on experience. This college also offers associate degrees in criminal justice, business technology, and technical management.
Students who wish to fulfill core requirements before selecting a major can opt for the general studies track at OTC. Additionally, through the state’s HOPE Career Grant, OTC provides tuition-free education in fields such as commercial truck driving, welding and joining technology, and early childhood care and education. For those interested in construction careers, OTC offers certificate programs in advanced carpentry and construction management.
Similar to other community colleges in Georgia, OTC delivers its online classes and academic programs through Blackboard. The tuition for these programs is $5991.
Most In-Demand Jobs in Georgia State
These are the most in-demand jobs in Georgia:-
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Truck Drivers
- Electricians
- Medical Assistants
- HVAC Technicians
- Plumbers
- Network Administrators
- Nurse Practitioners
- Carpenters
- Home Health Aides
- Cybersecurity Analysts
- Warehouse Associates
- Supply Chain Managers
- Teachers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Financial Analysts
- Accountants
- Production Supervisors
- Machine Operators
- Quality Control Inspectors
- Hospitality Managers
- Chefs
- Event Planners
- Loan Officers
- Sales Representatives
- Real Estate Agents
- Call Center Representatives
- Retail Salespersons
- Education Administrators
Highest Paying Jobs in Georgia
Here are ten high-paying jobs in Georgia along with approximate average salaries sourced from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other reliable sources:-
- Surgeons – Median – $409,665
- Anesthesiologists – $389,813
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists – $263,490
- Orthodontists – $251,730
- Psychiatrists – $224,770
- Physicians and Surgeons – $213,270
- Pediatricians, General – $195,040
- Family Medicine Physicians – $192,840
- Chief Executives – $190,340
- Internists, General – Median Annual Wage: $188,510
Admission Criteria For Community Colleges in Georgia
The admission criteria for community colleges in Georgia usually include:-
- Applicants need to have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
- Students must complete and submit an application form for admission to the community college.
- Some colleges require an application fee, though this can vary.
- Depending on the program or course, students may need to take placement tests in subjects like math and English to determine their skill levels.
- Applicants may need to provide high school transcripts or transcripts from any previous college coursework.
- Residency status may affect tuition rates, so applicants may need to provide documentation to establish their residency in Georgia if applicable.
- Some colleges may require proof of immunization for certain programs.
- Certain programs may have additional admission requirements, such as prerequisite courses or specific GPA requirements.
Once you have picked the community college you would like to enroll in, it is advisable to check the specific admission requirements of the community college as these criteria can vary between institutions and programs.
Tuition Fee For Community Colleges in Georgia
The cost of attending community colleges in Georgia depends on where you live, what you are studying, and the rules of the college itself. For students who live in Georgia, tuition is usually between $90 and $150 per credit hour. If you are from another state, you will likely pay more, usually between $250 and $300 per credit hour.
Remember, these are just rough estimates, and the actual cost can vary based on the college and any extra fees. It is always a good idea to contact the college directly to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition and fees.
Career Prospects For Community College Graduates in Georgia
Community college graduates in Georgia have various career prospects with good pay potential, below are some of them:-
- Registered Nurses: They provide patient care and earn around $65,000 per year on average.
- Electricians: They install and maintain electrical systems, earning about $55,000 annually.
- Medical Assistants: They help with patient care and administrative tasks, making around $35,000 per year.
- Paralegals: They assist lawyers with legal work and earn about $50,000 annually.
- Dental Hygienists: They clean teeth and educate patients on oral health, with an average salary of $70,000 per year.
- Computer Support Specialists: They help users with computer issues and earn around $50,000 annually.
- HVAC Technicians: They install and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, with an average salary of $50,000 per year.
- Automotive Technicians: They repair and maintain vehicles, earning about $40,000 annually.
- Graphic Designers: They create visual concepts, earning around $45,000 per year.
- Welders: They join metal pieces together, making approximately $45,000 annually.