Last Updated: April 05, 2022
Study in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is one of the largest cities in the country and is also a place where tourists from around the world flock over for the entertainment they offer. The land has innumerable music and art festivals conducted from time to time. There are plenty of universities and colleges here offering education that directly caters to either research in various fields of study or professions that are looked highly upon.
Every year, over 16,000 international students enroll in different programs in this city. There are 6 public universities here along with 51 other educational institutions where students will be able to find programs in almost every field of study. The popular majors here that students take are in the fields of business, biological sciences, engineering, and economics. Most universities offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs along with honors programs and other short courses that one can take for six months. The city has an exciting nightlife that students will be able to enjoy along with plenty of other entertainment options that attract students from all over the world.
Benefits of Studying in Atlanta
The benefits of studying in a city like Atlanta lies in the excellent education the universities here provide along with the high standard of living one can have. Though the transportation system here isn’t efficient and commuting to any place can be a hassle, students will be able to find ways of exploring the city after understanding the structure of the city well. A few of the benefits of studying here include-
- The city is known for the multinational companies that it is home to including Porsche, Foster, Philips, Kimberly, etc. where one will be able to intern or find job opportunities after completing their education.
- The place is also open to the different start-ups that are established every year providing job opportunities for people from every field of study irrespective of their qualifications.
- The merge of Emory University and Georgia Technical Institute has opened up opportunities for international standard doctoral programs in the field of Biomedicine.
Places to Stay in Atlanta
Atlanta offers different kinds of housing options for students especially due to the plenty of universities that are located here. Since prestigious universities like the Georgia State University are also located here, areas near the universities are mostly occupied by both domestic and international students. These student localities have the maximum concentration of entertainment options in the form of nightclubs, restaurants, parks, and pubs that one can often go to. A few of the student localities include-
- Midtown Atlanta- This locality is close to the Georgia Institute of Technology and is extremely popular among students. It is close to Piedmont Park where students will be able to relax and it also offers plenty of restaurants, nightclubs, and other places one can visit from time to time.
- Cabbagetown- This place offers accommodation at affordable rates and has plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and other places one can visit including parks. The place is extremely artsy and student-friendly.
- South Downtown - This location is near Georgia State University and is an ideal location for students mainly because of the housing options available. It is also an area with plenty of other small educational institutions. Students will be able to enjoy the nightlife here and also visit different attractions and historic sites while they stay here.
Cost of Living in Atlanta
While the cost of living in Atlanta is slightly more than the national average, it is one of the most affordable metro cities in the area. Students who live here will be able to find that Atlanta is considerably more expensive than the state of Georgia since it is the capital and one of the places where young professionals and students desire to stay. Students will have to spend most of their money on accommodation and utilities and depending on their lifestyle they will be able to live an easy life here. This is despite the fact the housing prices are lower than the national average here.
The cost of living here will be around $1,100 without rent. With rent, this can go up to $2,800 depending on where one chooses to stay.
Accommodation and Utility Expenses
Accommodation expenses and utility bills will be largely dependent on the locality the candidate has decided to stay in. The closer the location is to the city center the pricier places become. At the same time, the farther away one moves from the city center, especially if one is to live in student localities, they will have to pay a lower amount as rent. Students will also be able to find shared apartments or stay in dormitories provided by their university. Dormitories can be a more expensive option when compared to shared accommodation even if one considers transportation.
The rent here for apartments can range anywhere between $1,200 to $1,700 per month depending on the location. Students will also be able to get student residences or one-room stays for an amount starting from $600. Utility bills while living in the city does not generally exceed above $190 per month.
Grocery Expenses
The price for basic grocery items is-
- Milk- 0.80 per liter
- Cheese- $12 per kg
- Potatoes- $3 per kg
- Tomatoes- $5 per kg
- Onions- $3 per kg
- Apples- $5 per kg
- Wine- 15 per bottle
Transportation Expenses
Students will be able to get around the city of Atlanta by using the public transport system called MARTA. It includes both local buses and the rail connecting the city with the suburbs. Walking and biking are not options that are well sought-after due to the lack of bicycle lanes and the heavy traffic the city has at all times. But, if the student is living close to their university or educational institution, they will be able to travel by foot.
The MARTA rail lines are not known for their efficiency but the fare is relatively cheaper when compared to hailing taxis or cabs to go around the city. The price for a one-way ticket is $2.50. Students will be able to get a day pass for $9 and a week pass for $23.75. Local buses are opted by the people only if the places aren’t connected by rail. The price for a one-way ticket on the local bus is also $2.50. One will also be able to use a streetcar which charges $1 for a one-way trip.
Programs to Study in Atlanta
A few of the best programs one can enroll for in Atlanta include-
- Business Administration
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Computer Information Systems
- Biological Sciences
- Theology
Top Universities in Atlanta
The universities in Atlanta include-
Georgia State University
This university was established in 1913 and is a publicly funded university that focuses on research. Students will be able to take up undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs here along with other diploma programs. It has a student population of over 52,000 along with over 1,500 academic staff. The university has schools for policy studies, nursing & health professions, arts, arts & sciences, education, business, law, public health, biomedical sciences, etc.
The in-state tuition fee here is $30,000 per year without financial aid and $13,000 per year after receiving financial aid. The fee for out-of-state students is around $43,000 per year without financial aid.
Georgia Institute of Technology
This institute was established in the year 1885 and is an institute focusing on the sciences. It has a student population of around 20,000 along with over 1,700 academic staff. They have colleges for computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, sciences, and business. Through these colleges, they offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs along with honors programs that are highly acclaimed. The institute also provides MBA and Executive programs that students can choose from.
The estimated fee for undergraduate programs is around $29,000 per year for in-state students and around $50,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Clark Atlanta University
This university was established in the year 1865 and is a private university that has been historically Black. It has a student population of around 4,000. It has four schools in all which deal with areas like arts & sciences, business, education, and social work. It offers degrees at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels along with honors programs. The popular programs here are psychology, criminal justice, biological sciences, business administration, etc.
The estimated fee for in-state and out-of-state students is around $34,000 per year with aid and around $38,000 per year without financial aid.
Emory University
This university was established in the year 1836 and is a privately funded university that focuses on research. It has a student population of around 15,000 with a nearly equal number of studying both undergraduate and graduate programs. They have graduate schools for medicine, nursing, theology, law, business, public health, etc. The popular programs here include biological sciences, neuroscience, psychology, etc.
The estimated fee for in-state and out-of-state students is around $72,000 per year without financial aid and around $23,000 per year with financial aid.
Oglethorpe University
This university was established in 1834 and is a liberal arts university that is privately funded. They offer dual degrees, undergraduate, and graduate degrees, along with certification programs. The subjects offered include African-American studies, biomedical sciences, media studies, music, non-profit management, and biopsychology. Environmental studies, HR management, international business, sociology, etc.
The fee that all students have to pay is around $22,000 per year with financial aid and around $59,000 per year without financial aid.
Entertainment Options in Atlanta
Students who are staying in Atlanta will have different kinds of entertainment options to choose from. They will be able to experience the nightlife that the city has to offer by going to the different bars and pubs here like the Gold Room, Havana Club, M Bar, MJQ Concourse, etc. Students who wish to lead a quiet life will be able to visit the different restaurants and cafes in the place where they will be able to relax and take a breather from time to time.
Atlanta also offers students with educational experiences wherein one will be able to visit historic sites like the Margaret Mitchell House and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. They will also be able to learn more about the city by visiting the Atlanta History Center and other museums that the city has to offer. The city has an entertainment industry that caters to people from all walks of life which is one of the reasons why it is popular among tourists.
Places to Visit in Atlanta
Students who stay in Atlanta will be able to explore different parts of the city that offers exotic cuisine, sports, outdoor activities, and entertainment. The city is also known for the different museums, parks, and other entertainment-related places one can visit. Students will be able to also go to the zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens the place has.
A few of the places one can visit include-
- High Museum of Art- This museum is situated on Peachtree Street and it contains African Art, American Art, Decorative Arts & Design, European Art, etc. Students will be able to even view Folk Art, Modern Art, and Photography in their collection areas. They also conduct exhibitions from time to time.
- Piedmont Park- This park spreads across 200 acres and is one of the prime locations where most of the city’s events are conducted. The prominent festivals held here include the Music Midtown Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, etc. Students will be able to bike, walk, run, or even have picnics here.
- Georgia Aquarium- This aquarium is the largest in the world and is home to over 100,000 creatures. The general price for entering the aquarium is $39.95. Students will be able to wear safety suits and interact underwater with zebra sharks, California sea lions, whale sharks, sand tiger sharks, etc.
Things to Do in Atlanta
Atlanta offers plenty of activities one can do in every field one might be interested in. Those who wish to take their time in exploring the cuisine of the place will be able to go on a food tour of the place. Animal-lovers will be able to visit the zoo and observe the different species of animals there. Others will be able to go to art galleries, museums, and even the aquarium in the place. One of the most fascinating activities one can indulge in is taking a tour of the World of Coca-Cola where they can taste over 100 variations of the beverage.
Here are a few of the things one can do in Atlanta-
- River Tube at Chattahoochee- This is an activity people often do in summers. People will be able to go to different spots near the Chattahoochee River and rent a tube. They will then be able to float in the river for as long as they want. Interested students will be able to even kayak here.
- Visit Zoo Atlanta- This zoo remains open between 9 to 5 everyday and is home to over 1,500 species of animals. The zoo has an African Savanna and a Scaly Slimy Spectacular habitat with animals like the African lion and elephant, fossa, giant panda, Harris hawk, etc.
- Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden - This garden is known as the Children’s Garden it contains within the 30-acres of land. The tickets to the place cost $22.95 for general admission and it takes a person around 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the place to their heart’s content.