Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Georgia

Dalton State College delivers the strongest return on investment for Criminal Justice students in Georgia, with a net cost of just $4,694 leading to median earnings of $35,416. This creates a particularly compelling value proposition compared to the state's most expensive option at $21,757. Georgia's expanding logistics and transportation sector, anchored by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and major distribution centers, creates steady demand for security professionals and corrections officers. The HOPE Scholarship significantly reduces costs at public institutions for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, making programs like University of North Georgia's criminal justice degree accessible at $5,009 in-state tuition. However, graduation rates vary dramatically across the state, from University of Georgia's impressive 87.2% down to Georgia Gwinnett College's 19.8%, suggesting that program selection requires careful consideration beyond cost alone.

Programs

$4,694 – $35,115

Net Price Range

$34,776

Avg. Program Earnings

36.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$35,416	$3,283	29.6%
2	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$37,826	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
3	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$29,685	$5,498	25.2%
4	Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia	$11,696	$39,909	$4,458	19.8%	93.6%
5	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$32,467	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
6	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$31,236	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
7	Herzing University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$21,757	$58,943	$13,420	29.2%	93.4%
8	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$35,416	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
9	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$29,685	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
10	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$27,995	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
11	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$29,685	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
12	Strayer University-Georgia Chamblee, Georgia	$18,224	$40,448	$13,920	23.1%
13	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$35,298	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
14	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$31,462	$5,934	22.8%
15	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$29,995	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
16	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$35,374	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
17	American InterContinental University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$15,774	$32,711	$13,416	21.1%
18	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$33,281	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
19	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313	$38,289	$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
20	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$31,628	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
21	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$39,648	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
22	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769	$47,260	$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
23	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$30,228	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
24	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$32,711	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
25	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116	$34,420	$18,238	22.7%
26	South University-Savannah Online Savannah, Georgia	$26,308	$34,420	$16,546	5.1%
27	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, Georgia	$30,243	$34,650	$17,488	36.4%	50.0%
28	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$23,649	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
29	Point University West Point, Georgia	$20,752		$22,300	40.4%	24.2%
30	Atlanta Metropolitan State College Atlanta, Georgia	$5,090		$3,105	14.3%
31	Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Georgia	$21,983		$21,696	23.5%	94.8%
32	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905		$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
33	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297		$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
34	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia	$22,328		$25,568	41.1%	80.8%
35	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133		$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
36	Georgia Highlands College Rome, Georgia	$6,588		$2,944	20.8%
37	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052		$4,980	31.9%	73.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dalton State College such a strong value for Criminal Justice students?

Dalton State offers the lowest net cost in Georgia at $4,694 while producing graduates who earn $35,416 annually. The school's location in northwest Georgia provides access to both Atlanta's job market and regional law enforcement opportunities. This combination of low cost and solid earning potential creates an strong return on educational investment.

How does the HOPE Scholarship affect Criminal Justice program costs?

HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at Georgia public colleges for students with a 3.0 GPA, dramatically reducing costs. For example, University of North Georgia charges $5,009 in-state tuition, but HOPE recipients pay significantly less. This makes public programs particularly attractive compared to private options like Herzing University-Atlanta at $13,420 annually.

Does graduation rate correlate with program value in Georgia Criminal Justice programs?

Graduation rates vary enormously, from University of Georgia's 87.2% to Georgia Gwinnett College's 19.8%. However, some lower-graduation-rate schools like Dalton State still offer excellent value due to their extremely low costs. Students should balance graduation likelihood against total program cost when making decisions.

What employment opportunities exist for Criminal Justice graduates in Georgia?

Georgia's logistics center status creates demand for security professionals at major facilities like Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and distribution centers throughout the state. The film industry's growth in Atlanta also generates opportunities in private security. State and local corrections facilities provide traditional career paths, with earnings ranging from $27,995 to $58,943 depending on the program.

Is private education worth the extra cost for Criminal Justice in Georgia?

Herzing University-Atlanta charges $21,757 net cost but produces the highest-earning graduates at $58,943 annually. This represents a significantly higher earnings premium that may justify the increased investment. However, public options like University of North Georgia offer solid earnings of $37,826 at much lower cost, making the private premium questionable for many students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.