Decatur Colleges, Universities, Trade and Vocational Schools

Decatur Colleges and Schools

Located within the Atlanta metropolitan area and Atlanta city limits, Decatur is the county seat of DeKalb County, Georgia. Major employers include the DeKalb County Government, Emory University Health Systems, Decatur Board of Education, and the U.S. Postal Service.

Decatur claims to be a city of "homes, schools, and places of worship." Its location is just minutes from downtown Atlanta as well as Stone Mountain, and residents can catch the MARTA train from the rail station in downtown Decatur.

Colleges in Decatur, Georgia

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Decatur, Georgia is home to 6 institutions of higher education with enrollment numbers totaling 25,815 students. These institutions include a large junior college, 4-year private schools, seminaries, and institutions offering less-than-two-year degrees or certificates.

Georgia Perimeter College

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $3,150
• Graduation rate (started in 2011): 6%
• Accredited: Y
• # of programs: 42 associate degrees, 2 certificate

Georgia Perimeter College is a public, 2-year community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs in a number of career-focused fields. Enrollment numbers totaled 21,371 for 2014 while popular concentrations included nursing and general studies.

Agnes Scott College

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $35,982
• Graduation rate (started in 2008): 73%
• Accredited: Y
• # of programs: 39 majors, 32 minors, 6 other

Agnes Scott College is a private not-for-profit college offering bachelor's degrees in a number of different fields. In 2014, enrollment was listed as 873 students. In addition to popular programs in social sciences, psychology, and biomedical sciences, the college participates in a "MBA Linkage" program with Georgia Tech University's Scheller College of Business.

Columbia Theological Seminary

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $13,860
• Graduation rate: not reported
• Accredited: Y
• # of programs: 4 master's, 3 doctoral

An accredited theological school of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Columbia Theological Seminary offers advanced degrees for students seeking careers in the church as well as continuing education and certificate courses for people of all denominations and backgrounds. Total enrollment for 2014 numbered 213 students.

DeVry University-Georgia

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $16,888
• Graduation rate (started in 2008): 29%
• Accredited: not reported
• # of programs: 5 associate, 64 bachelor's concentrations, 12 master's concentrations, various undergraduate and graduate certificate programs

The DeVry University-Georgia's Decatur Campus is a private, for-profit institution offering on-campus and online degrees and certificates in a number of different fields. Total enrollment for 2014 was 3,177 with a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1.

Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $10,500
• Graduation rate (started in 2011): 66%
• Accredited: Y
• # of programs: 1 associate

The Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service is a private, not-for-profit specialty school which trains students for careers as morticians and embalmers. Total enrollment for 2014 included 162 students, 52% of which were female.

Fayette Beauty Academy-Ritz Beauty Academy

• In-state tuition (2014-15): $14,600
• Graduation rate: not reported
• Accredited: not reported
• # of programs: 4 career concentrations

The Fayette Beauty Academy-Ritz Beauty Academy in Decatur helps students prepare for careers in cosmetology, hair styling, nail design, makeup artistry, or cosmetology instruction. Just 19 students enrolled in 2014, resulting in a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1.

Facts for Students of Decatur Colleges and Schools

Economics

Located within the Atlanta metropolitan complex, Decatur serves as a "bedroom" community to its more densely populated neighbor. As the county set of DeKalb County, the city's largest employer is the county government. Other major industries include education, healthcare, and the U.S Postal Service. Decatur's median household income was $77,202 in 2013, which is well above the national average. Median housing values were also much higher than average at $350,400, although 62.0% of residents did own their homes.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Decatur, Georgia was home to an estimated 20,380 people in 2014. Of those residents age 25 and older, 95% held at least a high school diploma with an astounding 71.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Just 9% of residents spoke a language other than English at home while 7.9% of the population was foreign born.

Fun Facts

The site for Decatur's public square was chosen in a spot where two Native American trails met in 1823. There have been 5 different county courthouses built there, with the present one constructed in 1897 and rebuilt in 1917 after a fire. The current courthouse now houses a small museum.

Sources:

1. City of Decatur, http://www.decaturga.com/
2. College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
3. State & County Quickfacts, U.S. Census Bureau, Decatur, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13/1322052.html
4. Georgia Cities/Counties, State of Georgia, http://georgia.gov/cities-counties/decatur