Middle Georgia State University

MGA offers 70+ programs across certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and a handful of master’s degrees, with a pragmatic focus on fields like business administration, computer science, and aviation. The most popular majors reflect this career-oriented approach:

• Business Administration and Management (General)
• Computer and Information Sciences (General)
• Criminal Justice
• Nursing

The curriculum leans heavily on Core IMPACTS, Georgia’s statewide general education framework, ensuring transferability to other state schools. While MGA lacks the research intensity or prestige of Georgia’s flagship universities, its strength lies in accessible, applied programs—particularly in aviation (it houses the state’s only public four-year aviation degree) and IT. Student feedback highlights the low-cost, no-frills academic environment, with some noting limited rigor outside technical fields.

Life at MGA is quiet and commuter-dominated, with many students living off-campus or returning home on weekends. The university describes its Student Life Program as fostering engagement through clubs, leadership roles, and cultural events, but Niche reviews characterize the social scene as “low-key and calm”—more functional than vibrant. Highlights include:

• 50+ student organizations, ranging from academic clubs to esports
• A small but active aviation community (a rarity for public colleges)
• Limited Greek life and Division II athletics (the Knights compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference)

Campus programming leans toward practical workshops (e.g., resume building) over traditional college parties. The Macon location provides access to mid-sized city amenities, but the commuter culture means fewer students stick around for weekend activities.

MGA struggles with low graduation rates (just 26% overall) but emphasizes workforce placement for those who complete degrees. Key data:

• Median earnings 1 year post-graduation: $36,427 (slightly below national averages)
• 58.7% of degrees awarded in 2024 were to women
• Top programs like aviation and IT report strong regional employment, but liberal arts graduates fare worse

The university tracks outcomes by program, with technical fields (e.g., flight operations, cybersecurity) outperforming humanities in salary metrics. However, the 3-year graduation rate target of 75% remains unmet, suggesting many students attend part-time or drop out.

MGA’s biggest draw is its rock-bottom tuition, especially for in-state students:

• In-state tuition/fees: $6,082
• Average net price after aid: $13,174–$15,638
• 150+ donor-funded scholarships available, though most aid comes from federal/state grants (average award: $6,383)

The university heavily promotes Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, which covers tuition for eligible residents. While costs are low, the high dropout rate means many students pay without earning a degree.

MGA carves a niche as Georgia’s most accessible public university, offering aviation and IT degrees at community college prices. Its test-blind policy and near-open admissions make it a lifeline for non-traditional or academically marginal students, though the trade-off is low graduation rates and a thin campus culture. Standout features:

• Only public 4-year aviation program in Georgia (a magnet for aspiring pilots)
• Aggressive affordability: Tuition is 30% below the state average
• Hyper-local focus: 80% of students come from within 100 miles of Macon

Best for: Budget-conscious commuters seeking career credentials in technical fields, especially those leveraging Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship.