Dalton State College began as Dalton Junior College, established in 1963 to expand access to higher education in northwest Georgia. It opened to students in 1967 as a two-year institution and later expanded beyond its original associate-degree mission.
The institution became Dalton College in 1987 and Dalton State College in 1998, reflecting its move into bachelor's-level education. Today, it remains part of the University System of Georgia and offers both associate and bachelor's degrees. That history helps explain its combination of career-oriented programs, transfer pathways, and four-year majors.
Dalton State College organizes its degree programs across the School of Arts and Sciences, Wright School of Business, School of Education, and School of Health Professions. Its offerings include associate and bachelor's degrees rather than a broad graduate-school portfolio.
Students can explore fields such as biology, criminal justice, psychology, business, accounting, teacher education, nursing, and allied health. An associate degree may serve as a career credential or a step toward a bachelor's degree, but the appropriate route depends on the program. Applicants considering nursing, education, or another professionally regulated field should examine that program's separate admission requirements, clinical or fieldwork obligations, and licensure disclosures before choosing a major.
Dalton State College is in Dalton, Georgia, in the state's northwest region. Its location is particularly practical for students who live in Dalton or nearby communities and intend to commute.
Dalton is connected to the broader region by Interstate 75. Students should account for their own travel time, parking, and transportation costs when comparing schedules: an evening class or required placement can change the feasibility of a commute. The college permits first-year students to park on campus, subject to its parking rules. Its setting offers access to local employers and services, but students seeking a fully residential college experience should note that commuting is the norm.
Dalton State describes its mission in terms of access to higher education, student learning, and service to northwest Georgia. As a public institution in the University System of Georgia, it serves students pursuing both transfer-oriented study and workforce-related degrees.
Its stated priorities connect education with regional needs and opportunities for students from varied backgrounds. Those are institutional goals, not evidence that every program produces the same outcome. Prospective students can evaluate how well a particular major fits those goals by looking at its curriculum, required experiences, transfer options, and available support.
Name of the institution
Dalton State CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1963Dalton State College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.