2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Georgia
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Georgia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Chattahoochee Technical College the best value for a degree in criminal justice studies in Georgia. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atlanta Technical College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #4. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at South Georgia Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,423. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dalton State College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $37,856 early in their careers. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus Technical College earned the #9 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,052 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,845. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. Set against $15,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $31,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $20,701. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,895. That is a strong return on a $20,701 median debt.
Savannah Technical College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $45,326 early in their careers. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Gwinnett Technical College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,048. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Students borrow a median of $11,894 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Ogeechee Technical College generally make around $35,521. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,278. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,363 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $41,598. Set against $22,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Athens Technical College came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gordon State College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Barnesville, Gordon State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,628, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,399. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Gordon State College earn a median of $41,011 early in their careers. Set against $11,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta Technical College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $46,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Valley State University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $5,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,878. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $34,625. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $29,445 early in their careers. Set against $34,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Southeastern Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vidalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,400, with out-of-state students paying around $5,968. Students borrow a median of $10,290 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valdosta State University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $35,398. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice studies:
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
