Study in Atlanta

Atlanta for students

Atlanta is the capital and largest city of the US state of Georgia, and is known as the “city in a forest” due to its abundance of trees, rare for a major city.

Located in the south east of the US, Atlanta’s progressive attitude during the US Civil Rights Movement earned it another nickname – “the city too busy to hate”.

Today, Atlanta is now a thriving centre of commerce, with three distinct skylines and the world’s busiest international airport.

Of the top universities in Atlanta, the highest-ranked in the QS World University Rankings® 2023 is Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), a university with very high research activity and close ties to the industrial world.

Best universities in Atlanta - QS Best Student Cities ranking: 63rd

More about Atlanta

Atlanta is home to three top universities including the highest ranked school Georgia Institute of Technology in 88th place. In the QS Best Student Cities 2023, Atlanta earns its highest score in the employer activity indicator, ranking in 61st.

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Why study in Atlanta?

Good employment prospects

Atlanta is a centre of commerce and home to many well-known international corporations. The city earns an employability score of 61st.

Prestigious universities 

Atlanta contains three highly-ranked universities. The best of these is Georgia Tech, placing in 88th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. 

Plenty of green spaces

Atlanta is frequently nicknamed 'the city in a forest' due to its large number of parks and green spaces.

Cost of studying 

While Atlanta scores well across each of the indicators in the student cities ranking, its worst score is for affordability. The city ranks in 99th for affordability, due to its expensive tuition fees and high cost of living. 

Tuition fees for international students in Atlanta will cost approximately US$36,600 on average (~£26,400).

Numbeo estimates a single person would need around £743 per month for general expenses plus an additional £1590 for rent in a single bedroom apartment in the city centre. 

Life & culture in Atlanta 

Atlanta is a cosmopolitan city of progress but also of rich history and culture, with local attractions including the childhood home of Martin Luther King, the Georgia Aquarium and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

There are also thriving music and culinary scenes, with The Varsity chain restaurants being iconic to the city.

Atlanta is also known for its parks, nicknamed 'the city in a forest' due to its 17.8 square miles of green space. 

Career in Atlanta

The capital of the state of Georgia, Atlanta is an economic hub. Atlanta is home to television network CNN, the Coca-Cola world headquarters and Delta airlines.

Industries frequently hiring graduates include: logistics, business services, media, IT and sales. Fintech is another growing industry in Atlanta, and there are around 100 financial technology firms based there. 

Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the city's biggest employer, accounting for 63,000 jobs.