San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, and Detroit are each home to more than 300,000 college students, while San Diego, Riverside, Phoenix, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Seattle, and Baltimore all host more than 200,000 collegians. The built environment of a university in the city isn’t negative at all. Schools in the city provide better opportunities, which mean better jobs after you graduate. People assume the city is unsafe which means you receive a bad education and won’t succeed in the world but its actually the opposite. The city there are many things going on. Students are thriving in school, furthering their education. People believe students can’t do this because of many distractions in the city. What they don’t know is students learn more, meet new people, and amazing job opportunities. 

Several advantages exist to attending a college in the city. One of the major advantages is that you will have ready access to public transportation if you live off of campus so that you can get to and from school without needing to own your own car. You can also get to and from work in a shorter amount of time if you work in the city. Most students can get where they need to be by train or bus in a big city. You may not need to have a car, and an airport is nearby if you want to travel home for breaks and holidays.Atlanta is a national leader in attracting college educated 25-34 year olds, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. If cultural arts is important to you, you can attend several cultural events living in a metropolitan area because this is typically where events are held. Many employers that offer internships will offer their opportunities in the city, which means that more of these opportunities will be available to you if you want hands on experience before you graduate. According to The College Board, students in a big city typically have access to more internships, cooperative classes and other career-boosting experiences. Imagine having an internship at a top company in your field on your resume before you even graduate.

In the city of Atlanta, 39.9 percent of adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and in metro-Atlanta the figure is 33.3 percent. The U.S. level is 27.0 percent. A Census Bureau analysis ranked the city of Atlanta 6th among cities nationally in the percent of people 25 and older who have completed bachelor’s degrees. The Atlanta region enjoys a concentration of colleges and universities matched by few U.S. metropolitan areas, landing in the top tier across more than 20 measures of higher education. And Atlanta area colleges and universities offer an extraordinary mix of missions and campus settings from downtown campuses to tree-lined quads, from internationally renowned research institutions to small liberal arts colleges, from comprehensive universities to specialized schools of art, theology, technology and medicine. That’s good news for Atlanta. A highly educated population means a better pool of workforce talent, higher incomes and a broader tax base. A wealth of degree programs means something for everyone, from entering freshmen to adults seeking advanced degrees. And campuses across the region bring arts and entertainment, commerce, research and community service to their neighborhoods.

 

There are over 57 colleges and universities in Georgia.  Almost 1,800 distinct programs of study at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and professional levels. More than 250,000 students enrolled each year. Georgia is 7th in student enrollment among America’s largest urban areas, 6th in annual college graduates (at the bachelor’s level or higher). And among the top 7 urban centers in number of degrees awarded in fields including engineering, computer sciences, math, physical, biological sciences, health professions, business, arts and theology.

Colleges and universities in the Atlanta region are a significant sector of the economy, generating a $10.8 billion impact on the state 3.2 percent of Georgia’s annual gross product from spending by institutions, employees, students and visitors, plus the impact of capital expenditures. The colleges create 130,000 jobs across all industries in Georgia. They yield $3 billion in state and local taxes paid by Georgians who graduated from or are employed by the region’s colleges and universities. For years the school draw 5.7 million visits annually 1.5 million of them overnight for campus tours, commencement, alumni events, arts and culture, athletic events and conferences.

Only five U.S. metro areas totaled higher ed research spending of $1 billion or more in 2005. Atlanta was one of them.Three local institutions Georgia Tech, Emory and UGA ranked among the top 50 U.S. universities for research and development spending in FY 2005, according to the National Science Foundation. Together, 11 ARCHE members accounted for $1.2 billion in FY2005 R&D spending. Atlanta is a national leader in attracting college educated 25-34 year olds, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In the city of Atlanta, 39.9 percent of adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and in metro-Atlanta the figure is 33.3 percent. The U.S. level is 27.0 percent. A Census Bureau analysis ranked the city of Atlanta 6th among cities nationally in the percent of people 25 and older who have completed bachelor’s degrees. Info according to ARCHE)

You’re never alone when you’re in a city. Right outside campus are “real world” people, working and living their lives without the concerns of midterms and final papers. That being said, there are so many opportunities to meet new people, get your name out there, and find jobs and internships. When summer break finally hits, several students find themselves moving to the big cities for internships. But when you’re living in a city during the school year, you’re a step ahead of the game. The transition from rural campus to a city can be difficult, especially when summer rolls around. Students who already live in a city not only can hold an internship year round, but also are well adjusted with the fast paced city life. Even though I was born in Atlanta right outside At Northside Hospital, I was raised outside of it all my life. But I was always in Atlanta doing almost everything a kid can do, I know plenty about it. I’ve always found Atlanta to be a second home. To some it my be a little intimidating. But after spending my first year at Georgia State University, I definitely call it the perfect place to go to school. And I don’t have to move if I do an internship. I can just take an Uber or call a friend for a ride or maybe even Marta (have to be in the mood). Going to a city school helped me feel accustomed and in sync with the fast paced city lifestyle.

When people say, “the city never sleeps,” they aren’t lying. Every night (weekdays included) you can find a party a party going on. Just want to dance? There are endless raging clubs just waiting for you to let loose. When you’re looking to escape the typical routine, hit up a bar maybe even one far from campus with a different crowd to explore. Everyone knows everyone in class, but outside school it’s a whole different crowd. It’s the best of both worlds. And if you’re just looking to have the typical college night, there will always be a house party where you can just chill.

The Top Universities and Colleges in the Atlanta area are: Clark Atlanta University, DeVry University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta campus), and Spelman College. I have friends that went to Emory, GSU, and SCAD, and they said they love going to their school and when transfer for nothing in the world. For example Georgetown University, located in Washington, DC, this university offers all the perks of big city life. However, the actual neighborhood surrounding the college has a quieter feel than you might expect of an urban campus. And Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois, this suburban campus has a small city feel with lots of great local shops and entertainment options. However, it’s just a 30 minute train ride from Chicago, making car-free transportation a breeze and opening students up to great internship and career resources.

Students that go to city schools see the value in going there, thats why they pick it. Other students that want to go to a rural school, mainly want green grass everywhere and all they know is frat parties. Sometimes it’s better to swap the green feeling for once in a lifetime experiences. If you are searching for the perfect college match, you may be torn between big city destinations and a small town atmosphere. Both of these options come with their own benefits and drawbacks. In the end, your personal preferences and desired college experience will help you determine which is the better fit for you. Thinking about what you hope to get out of your college experience will help you decide which school is right for you.

“Big City vs. Small Town Colleges: What’s Right for You?” Accessed April 29, 2016. http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/09EC1E7B/Big-City-vs-Small-Town-Colleges-Whats-Right-for-You/.

“The Benefits of Attending an Inner-City School :: Personal Narrative Essays.” Accessed April 29, 2016. http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=18894.

“11 Advantages Of Attending A City School | Odyssey.” Accessed April 29, 2016. http://theodysseyonline.com/lim-college/10-advantages-attending-city-sch/269240.

“The Pros and Cons of Attending an Urban College – SchoolGuides.com.” Accessed April 29, 2016. http://www.schoolguides.com/College_News/the_pros_and_cons_of_attending_an_urban_college___800740326.html.