Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Georgia

Dalton State College offers the most affordable teacher education program in Georgia at just $4,694 net cost annually, making quality educator preparation accessible to students from northwest Georgia's carpet manufacturing region. The 20 programs across the state show dramatic cost variations, with private Young Harris College reaching $11,008 despite its small mountain town location. Georgia's public universities benefit from the HOPE Scholarship program, which covers full tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, explaining why in-state costs remain remarkably low at schools like Gordon State ($3,475) and College of Coastal Georgia ($3,483). Teacher education graduates enter a state job market strengthened by population growth, particularly in metro Atlanta where new schools regularly open to serve expanding suburban communities. The University of Georgia stands out with an 87.20% graduation rate, nearly triple that of some regional universities, while graduates across all programs earn between $32,467 and $41,937 annually. Fort Valley State University demonstrates that smaller public institutions can achieve strong outcomes, combining a reasonable $11,609 net cost with 45.20% graduation rates and $41,007 average earnings for education majors.

Programs

$4,694 – $36,828

Net Price Range

$36,312

Avg. Program Earnings

43.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$3,283	29.6%
2	Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia	$8,683	$5,498	25.2%
3	Gordon State College Barnesville, Georgia	$8,918	$3,475	17.3%	93.3%
4	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
5	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
6	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
7	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
8	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
9	Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia	$11,696	$4,458	19.8%	93.6%
10	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
11	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052	$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
12	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905	$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
13	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
14	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
15	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
16	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$5,934	22.8%
17	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528	$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
18	Paine College Augusta, Georgia	$15,074	$14,596	21.7%	51.5%
19	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
20	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
21	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
22	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
23	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
24	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805	$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
25	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
26	Emmanuel University Franklin Springs, Georgia	$19,297	$23,664	34.6%	62.7%
27	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313	$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
28	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133	$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
29	Point University West Point, Georgia	$20,752	$22,300	40.4%	24.2%
30	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786	$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
31	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
32	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568	$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
33	Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Georgia	$21,983	$21,696	23.5%	94.8%
34	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia	$22,328	$25,568	41.1%	80.8%
35	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
36	Covenant College Lookout Mountain, Georgia	$24,832	$40,464	71.9%	84.1%
37	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769	$28,420	35.6%	62.3%
38	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
39	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949	$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
40	Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia	$36,828	$30,058	76.1%	28.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dalton State College the most affordable teacher education option in Georgia?

Dalton State College charges just $4,694 in net costs annually, with in-state tuition of only $3,283 for residents. The school serves northwest Georgia's carpet manufacturing region, where lower living costs help stretch education budgets further. However, graduates earn $32,467 on average, the lowest among programs with available earnings data, reflecting the regional economic conditions.

How do graduation rates vary among Georgia's teacher education programs?

Graduation rates span from 17.30% at Gordon State College to 87.20% at the University of Georgia, showing enormous variation in student success. Young Harris College achieves 45.70% despite being a small private school, while larger regional universities like Georgia Gwinnett College struggle at 19.80%. Fort Valley State and Augusta University both exceed 45% graduation rates while maintaining reasonable costs.

Is attending a private college worth the extra cost for teacher education in Georgia?

Young Harris College costs $11,008 net annually compared to public options starting at $4,694, but offers a 45.70% graduation rate in a small mountain setting. Most students benefit more from public universities with HOPE Scholarship eligibility, which can reduce in-state tuition to under $4,000 annually. The earnings potential remains similar across all programs, ranging from $32,467 to $41,937.

Does the University of Georgia justify its higher costs for teacher education?

UGA charges $13,816 net annually, nearly triple Dalton State's cost, but delivers an 87.20% graduation rate that far exceeds other programs. Graduates earn $38,424 on average with relatively low debt of $15,337, suggesting strong return on investment. The Athens campus provides access to research opportunities and extensive alumni networks throughout Georgia's education system.

Where do Georgia teacher education graduates find the best job opportunities?

Metro Atlanta's expanding suburban communities create consistent demand for new teachers, particularly in Gwinnett, Cobb, and Fulton counties. Coastal Georgia also shows growth potential as Brunswick and Savannah areas develop, benefiting College of Coastal Georgia and Savannah State graduates. Rural regions often struggle with teacher retention, creating opportunities for graduates willing to serve smaller communities with potential loan forgiveness programs.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Rankings

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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.