Tuition Increases Hit GA Colleges, Universities: Here's What Students Could Pay

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia officials on Tuesday revealed college tuition increases for undergraduate students entering the 2026-27 school year, adding approved mandatory fees could save students money.

The announcement was made by the University System of Georgia. The USG's Board of Regents voted to approve the measure for all 25 public colleges and universities in Georgia.

Subscribe

In-state undergrads will pay an additional 1 percent in tuition costs while out-of-state and out-of-country students will see a 3 percent raise in tuition come fall.

“For more than a decade, USG and the Board of Regents have prioritized keeping college affordable for families so more students can pursue higher education right here in Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in a news release.

“With enrollment at record levels, we’re focused on limiting new financial hurdles and delivering real value on every campus. Today’s decision reinforces that commitment. We are making a continued investment in Georgia’s future and in the students whose degrees will drive Georgia’s economy, strengthen our communities and open doors to prosperity.”

The board has approved limited tuition increases four times in the last decade. State officials say the 1 percent rise is still below the inflation rate, and average tuition growth sits below 1 percent in comparison to the 2.7 percent hike in consumer prices in the last year.

"These and other cost-containment efforts have helped make USG one of the most affordable public university systems in the South and nationwide," officials said in the release.

What will in-state tuition look like for fiscal year 2026? Well, at Georgia State University, tuition will be $4,590 at $306 per credit hour.

Students taking more than six hours at the University of Georgia will pay $5,017 in the fall, while in-state students earning four-degrees at Albany State University will spend $174 per credit hour and $2,610 for tuition.

Perimeter College at Georgia State University and Georgia Southern University – East Georgia, where students will spend $1,575, both have the cheapest tuition price tags in the state. (See the full list.)

The board on Tuesday additionally approved mandatory fee adjustments at 13 post-secondary institutions in the state university system. This includes Kennesaw State University and Georgia Southern University, where officials say there will be a reduction in costs for in-person students.

"The system will continue to support student success and deliver the academic quality students and families expect, while helping ensure the long‑term strength of Georgia’s workforce and economy," officials said in the release.

"In that spirit, USG supports the Georgia Senate’s decision to form a study committee to review and modernize the state’s higher education funding formula and looks forward to working with state leaders on solutions that align access, affordability and sustainability for students across the state."

In the past, the board chose to remove a mandatory special institutional fee which officials said lessened college costs, with annual savings of $340 to $1,088 for students.

Officials say Georgia has the third-lowest average undergraduate tuition and required fees at public institutions among 16 Southern Regional Education Board states. Nationally, Georgia has the fifth-lowest ranking.