Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Georgia

University of Georgia stands out among Georgia's teacher education programs with the highest median earnings at $39,891, though its net cost of $13,816 exceeds many competitors. The state's 15 programs show dramatic cost variation, from University of North Georgia's $10,785 net price to Reinhardt University's $27,769. This spread reflects Georgia's dual nature as both a state with strong public education support through the HOPE Scholarship and growing private college options. Georgia's expanding film and technology sectors create unique opportunities for subject-area teachers, particularly in STEM fields and media literacy. The state's public universities generally offer better value propositions, with seven schools maintaining net costs below $17,000 while producing graduates earning over $32,000. However, graduation rates vary significantly across institutions, from Georgia Southwestern's 31.9% to University of Georgia's 87.2%. Teachers entering Georgia's job market benefit from the state's economic growth in Atlanta and beyond, where specialized subject expertise commands competitive salaries in both traditional classroom settings and corporate training environments.

Programs

$6,061 – $27,769

Net Price Range

$34,056

Avg. Program Earnings

44.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$37,208	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
2	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$34,847	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
3	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$32,925	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
4	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$39,891	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
5	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$40,402	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
6	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$40,621	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
7	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$38,597	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
8	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$35,179	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
9	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052	$26,353	$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
10	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$33,993	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
11	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$27,146	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
12	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769	$21,508	$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
13	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805		$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
14	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008		$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
15	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia	$22,328		$25,568	41.1%	80.8%
16	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133		$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
17	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347		$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
18	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683		$5,498	25.2%
19	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893		$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
20	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350		$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
21	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061		$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
22	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609		$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
23	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297		$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
24	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145		$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
25	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786		$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
26	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568		$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
27	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251		$5,934	22.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,000 difference between the most and least expensive programs?

Private institutions like Reinhardt University charge $27,769 in net costs compared to University of North Georgia's $10,785, primarily due to higher base tuition rates. Public universities benefit from state funding and the HOPE Scholarship program, which covers full tuition for qualifying Georgia residents. Private colleges often provide more financial aid but still result in higher net costs. The HOPE Scholarship makes Georgia's public teacher education programs particularly affordable for in-state students.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs across these schools?

University of Georgia combines the highest graduation rate at 87.2% with moderate costs of $13,816, demonstrating strong value. Conversely, Georgia Southwestern charges just $12,052 but graduates only 31.9% of students. Mid-tier programs like Georgia Southern achieve 52.1% graduation rates at $16,531 net cost. The data suggests that slightly higher investment often yields significantly better completion outcomes in teacher education programs.

Does teacher salary data reflect Georgia's regional economic differences?

Earnings range from Reinhardt's $21,508 to Kennesaw State's $40,621, partly reflecting where graduates typically work within Georgia. Atlanta-area schools like Kennesaw State and Georgia State often see graduates enter higher-paying districts or corporate training roles. Rural-serving institutions may see graduates accept positions in smaller districts with lower but more affordable cost-of-living environments. Subject area specialization also influences these salary outcomes significantly.

What role does the HOPE Scholarship play in program affordability?

HOPE Scholarship coverage explains why in-state tuition at public universities ranges from just $4,980 to $11,180 annually. Students maintaining a 3.0 GPA receive full tuition coverage, making the primary costs room, board, and fees. This program makes Georgia's public teacher education options exceptionally affordable compared to national averages. Private institutions cannot offer equivalent base cost reductions, creating the significant public-private price gap.

How do acceptance rates impact program accessibility for teacher candidates?

Most programs accept 70-90% of applicants, with Shorter University accepting 97.5% and University of Georgia being most selective at 42.6%. This high acceptance rate pattern reflects Georgia's need for qualified teachers across subject areas. Even moderately selective programs like University of North Georgia at 69.6% remain accessible to most prepared candidates. The combination of high acceptance rates and HOPE Scholarship benefits makes teacher education highly accessible statewide.

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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.