University of Georgia

The University of Georgia, in Athens, Ga., is one of the oldest public universities in the country. More than two centuries after its founding, the school is still evolving and growing. The university's 85% graduation rate is well above average, and grads leave with below-average student debt burdens. The university has an impressive number of students and faculty who earn national awards each year, including Rhodes, Fulbright, and Marshall scholars. UGA also houses some of the state's best academic and cultural resources, among them a rare books collection, the Georgia's Writers Hall of Fame, and the state's official art and natural history museums. The university's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication oversees the Peabody Awards, which honor outstanding contributions to electronic media. Fraternities and sororities lead the social scene, and weekends during college football season revolve around cheering on the Bulldogs. Considered one of the country's top college towns, Athens has a great bar and music scene, including a three-day music and arts festival called AthFest.