Georgia State University is the major provider of associate degrees and student transfer opportunities in Georgia as well as a gateway to higher education, easing students’ entry into college-level study. The college has five locations in metro Atlanta and the largest online program within the University System of Georgia. The Decatur Campus falls within the boundaries of District 3, offers a variety of degree programs and one of its newest amenities is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Resource and Study Center. The campus also features fitness facilities and an attractive outdoor classroom. Decatur also is home to an internationally known native botanical garden featuring more than 4,000 native plants from throughout the United States.

Georgia Perimeter College was founded in 1964 as DeKalb College and the Decatur Campus opened several years later in 1972. By 1986 it was acquired by the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia, though the Universi-ty did not change its name to Georgia Perimeter College until 1997.

In 2016, the Board of Regents approved the consolidation of Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University, making Georgia State the largest university in the University System of Georgia. The college brings its five locations in metro Atlanta, and the largest online program within the University System of Georgia into Georgia State University.