Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Georgia

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College stands out with a remarkably low $6,061 net price for teacher education programs, making it Georgia's most affordable option by a significant margin. The state's 15 teacher preparation programs show dramatic cost variation, with private options like Shorter University reaching $16,286 while public institutions average under $13,000. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program covers tuition for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA at public colleges, effectively reducing actual costs even further for qualifying students. The University of Georgia produces teachers with the highest graduation rate at 87.2%, though at $13,816 net cost. Early career earnings for Georgia teacher education graduates range from $26,353 at Georgia Southwestern State to $40,402 at Shorter University. With Georgia's expanding film industry and growing technology sector creating demand for specialized educators in media arts and STEM fields, teacher preparation programs increasingly focus on preparing educators for 21st-century classrooms that serve Atlanta's business center and the state's developing rural economies.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College so affordable for teacher education?

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College offers the state's lowest net price at $6,061, with in-state tuition of just $3,195. The college's agricultural focus and rural location help keep operational costs low. Students benefit from the HOPE Scholarship program, which can cover the entire tuition cost for qualifying Georgia residents. The 29.1% graduation rate reflects the college's open-access mission and student population characteristics.

How do graduation rates compare between expensive and affordable programs?

The University of Georgia, despite its higher $13,816 cost, achieves an strong 87.2% graduation rate compared to more affordable options. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduates 29.1% of students while Fort Valley State University reaches 45.2% at $11,609. Augusta University demonstrates that moderate pricing at $13,347 can still produce strong outcomes with a 48.6% graduation rate. These differences often reflect admission selectivity and student preparation levels.

Does the HOPE Scholarship significantly impact teacher education costs?

The HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at Georgia public colleges for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, dramatically reducing actual costs. At Clayton State University, students pay just $5,068 in-state tuition, which HOPE can completely eliminate. Even at higher-cost public options like the University of Georgia, the $11,180 tuition becomes free with HOPE eligibility. This makes the net prices listed here primarily reflect room, board, and fees rather than tuition charges.

Where do Georgia teacher education graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Shorter University graduates command the highest early career earnings at $40,402, despite the program's $16,286 net cost. University of Georgia follows closely at $39,891 with Columbus State University reaching $37,208. Georgia Southwestern State University shows the lowest earnings at $26,353, though its $12,052 net cost creates a different value proposition. Geographic placement and subject area specialization significantly influence these salary ranges across the state.

Is teacher preparation debt manageable at Georgia's most affordable programs?

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduates carry $24,157 in average debt, which remains reasonable given the low program cost and earning potential. The University of Georgia produces the lowest debt levels at $17,500 despite higher program costs, reflecting strong financial aid. Columbus State University graduates average $27,500 in debt while earning $37,208 starting salaries. Most Georgia teacher education programs maintain debt-to-income ratios that support long-term financial stability for education professionals.

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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.