2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Georgia
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Georgia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Leading the list is Atlanta Technical College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in Georgia. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Pines Technical College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & corrections. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.
Dalton State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,550. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value 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, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,619. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,701 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Albany Technical College earn a median of $35,895 early in their careers. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $31,698. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College earned the #14 position for value in criminal justice & corrections 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $45,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,052, with out-of-state students paying around $7,262. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Columbus Technical College earn a median of $37,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,845 median debt.
Atlanta Metropolitan State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Atlanta Metropolitan State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,248, while out-of-state students pay about $10,400. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Atlanta Metropolitan State College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta Technical College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $46,165. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $9,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,631. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Georgia Highlands College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,134 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Georgia Highlands College earn a median of $56,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $22,363 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,598. Set against $22,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,400, with out-of-state students paying around $5,968. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $10,290 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,284. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,404, compared with $5,954 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,716 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Georgia Piedmont Technical College generally make around $42,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Gwinnett College earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,280. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
