Best Value Special Education and Teaching Colleges in Georgia

South Georgia State College delivers the most affordable Special Education pathway in Georgia at just $9,300 net cost, while University of Georgia graduates earn $40,394 annually despite higher upfront expenses of $13,816. This earnings gap of over $7,000 reflects the competitive advantage of Georgia's flagship teacher preparation programs in securing higher-paying positions. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship significantly reduces costs for in-state students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, making public universities particularly attractive for future educators. The state's growing urban centers, especially Atlanta's expanding school districts, create steady demand for special education teachers. Georgia Gwinnett College offers another compelling option with moderate costs of $11,696 and the highest graduate earnings at $40,821. These programs prepare teachers for Georgia's 180 school districts, which serve over 1.7 million students and consistently rank among the nation's largest employment sectors for education professionals.

Programs

$9,300 – $20,893

Net Price Range

$37,838

Avg. Program Earnings

42.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Special Education and Teaching Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia	$11,696	$40,821	$4,458	19.8%	93.6%
2	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$37,568	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
3	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$33,281	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
4	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$40,394	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
5	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$38,670	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
6	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$40,140	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
7	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$33,993	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
8	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893		$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
9	South Georgia State College Douglas, Georgia	$9,300		$2,970	20.3%
10	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347		$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
11	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008		$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
12	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286		$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
13	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251		$5,934	22.8%
14	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931		$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
15	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052		$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
16	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889		$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
17	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786		$33,275	35.4%	86.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $7,000+ earnings difference between Georgia special education graduates?

University of Georgia graduates earn $40,821 compared to Valdosta State's $33,281, reflecting program reputation and placement networks. UGA's 87.20% graduation rate and selective 42.55% acceptance rate indicate rigorous preparation that appeals to higher-paying districts. The earnings premium often justifies UGA's higher net cost of $13,816 versus Valdosta's $11,298.

How does Georgia's HOPE Scholarship affect special education program costs?

HOPE covers full tuition at public colleges for students with 3.0+ GPAs, dramatically reducing actual costs below published prices. Georgia Gwinnett's in-state tuition drops to just $4,458 with HOPE, while the $11,696 net price includes room, board, and other expenses. This makes Georgia's public special education programs among the most affordable nationwide.

Does program size correlate with job placement success in Georgia?

Larger programs like Georgia Southern and Georgia State benefit from extensive alumni networks throughout Georgia's 180 school districts. Georgia State's Atlanta location provides direct access to the state's largest metropolitan school systems, which employ thousands of special education teachers. Smaller programs like Young Harris College achieve 45.70% graduation rates through personalized attention and targeted regional placement.

Where do Georgia special education graduates find the highest-paying positions?

Atlanta metropolitan districts typically offer starting salaries above the state average of $37,000-$40,000 for special education teachers. University of Georgia and Georgia Gwinnett graduates command premium salaries averaging over $40,000 annually. Rural districts often provide loan forgiveness programs and housing assistance to attract special education teachers to underserved areas.

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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.