Atlanta is where the South meets the world, and where the world meets you. A global center for business, innovation, culture, and health, the city turns your Emory education into real-world experience. Nearly half of its residents were born outside Georgia, creating a dynamic and globally connected community. In one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, energy and opportunity surround you every day, giving you the tools and experiences that help shape who you will become.
The Economist, 2024
Forbes, 2025
WalletHub, 2025
WalletHub, 2024-25
Fortune, 2025
U.S. Census Bureau
Atlanta isn’t just where you’ll study. This city doesn’t sit quietly around you. It pulls you in and becomes part of the classroom. A walk along the Beltline, an afternoon with friends in Piedmont Park, a quiet moment in Lullwater Preserve, the stories of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, or the energy of a crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium all become part of your Emory experience. Together they reveal how culture, history, and innovation shape Atlanta and how the city will shape you.
With 57 colleges and universities across metro Atlanta, the region has one of the largest concentrations of college students in the United States. The result is a thriving student hub within a global city, where students from Emory, Georgia Tech, and neighboring campuses cross paths at concerts, festivals, and events across Atlanta. Learn more about Atlanta as a college hub.
Ranked by Money magazine as the #1 place to live in the U.S. and known as a “city in a forest,” Atlanta offers students easy access to nature across the metro area. Popular activities include walking or biking along the Atlanta Beltline, a trail connecting 45 neighborhoods through parks, public art, cafés, and markets, or relaxing in Piedmont Park, the city’s central gathering place. Explore the Outdoor in Atlanta
Atlanta’s food scene reflects the cultures and creativity that shape the city. Popular gathering spots for Emory students like Ponce City Market and Krog Street along the Beltline bring together restaurants, cafés, and shops where students meet friends for lunch or dinner.
Across the city, Atlanta is home to thousands of restaurants, from neighborhood cafés to Michelin-recognized dining. Named one of the Best Food Cities in the U.S. for Foodies by U.S. News & World Report, Atlanta offers everything from Southern-Asian fusion and authentic Italian pizza to legendary barbecue and the international restaurants along Buford Highway, one of the country’s most celebrated global food corridors.
From the Decatur Book Festival just minutes from campus to concerts and festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, Atlanta’s event calendar keeps the city active year-round. Students can cheer on one of six professional sports teams, including the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Atlanta United, or attend performances at venues like the Fox Theatre and State Farm Arena. Emory also offers free and discounted tickets to concerts, sporting events, and cultural performances. Learn more about discounts for students.
Photo by Joshua Peacock on Unsplash
Atlanta’s cultural scene is anchored by some of the South’s most recognizable institutions. Students visit the High Museum of Art, the leading art museum in the Southeast, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, located near the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The city is also home to iconic attractions like the Georgia Aquarium—one of the largest in the world with more than 11 million gallons of water—and the World of Coca-Cola, both located on Centennial Park. For live performances, students attend concerts and Broadway tours at the historic Fox Theatre, one of Atlanta’s most beloved landmarks. Together, these museums, theaters, and cultural sites make Atlanta a place where history, creativity, and storytelling are part of everyday life.
In Atlanta, your goals meet momentum. As one of the nation’s leading centers for business, healthcare, and technology, the city expands what’s possible at Emory.
Atlanta ranks #4 in the nation for Fortune 500 headquarters and is home to 33 Fortune 1000 companies, including global brands like Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, and The Home Depot. With more than 1,000 international businesses across the region, you gain direct access to the institutions shaping global markets, whether you study business, economics, sociology, or any field in between. Explore Atlanta’s Business Edge
Home to the CDC, leading hospital systems such as Emory Healthcare, Atlanta places you at the center of global health. Through clinical experience, research, and internships, your education moves quickly from theory to practice, with Emory providing the support to transform experience into impact. Explore pre-health advising at Emory.
Unlike smaller college towns, Atlanta gives you immediate access to major employers, industry leaders, and civic institutions, many led and shaped by Emory’s more than 45,000 alumni in the city. From internships to mentorship, you step into a global network from day one while learning in the close-knit academic community that defines the Emory experience. Learn More About Our Alumni Network.
Emory University, 2025
Emory University, 2025
Emory University, 2025
Oxford, Georgia is a small, historic town and home to Oxford College, one of Emory’s two undergraduate entry points. Just next door is Covington, a neighboring town that adds energy and character to the student experience. Together, Oxford and Covington create a setting that feels personal, walkable, and distinctly its own.
You may already recognize Covington’s historic square, lined with locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and year-round events. It has served as the backdrop for numerous films and television series, including The Vampire Diaries, Sweet Magnolias, Footloose, My Cousin Vinny, and Remember the Titans. Learn more about Oxford and Covington, Georgia. Learn more about Oxford and Covington, GA.