The University of Georgia is one of the nation's oldest public universities. Well over two centuries after its founding, the school is still evolving and growing. It has about 32,000 undergraduates and they can choose from 160-some majors. Despite its size, the university says almost 90% of classes have fewer than 50 students in them.
Georgia scores well on Money’s affordability metrics. Roughly 85% of undergrads get scholarship or grant aid, and thanks in part to a strong state scholarship program for residents, Money finds that UGA’s estimated net price of a degree is low even compared to other public colleges.
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 top academic and cultural resources, among them a rare books collection, the Georgia 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 in TV, radio and podcast, and digital 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 restaurant lineup (try South Kitchen + Bar's duck fat tater tots) and music scene, including a three-day music and arts festival called AthFest.
