by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Georgia? This list ranks 67 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 67 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 67 schools in Georgia to surface the strongest return on investment. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Georgia. Based in Waycross, GA, Coastal Pines Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Coastal Pines Technical College students take on a median of $5,812 in debt. Median earnings reach $30,214 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #2 place in Georgia. Located in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Georgia Northwestern Technical College students take on a median of $8,492 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,759 ten years after entry. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Georgia. South Georgia Technical College is a public school based in Americus, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. The median program debt is $10,423. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 67 schools in Georgia in this year's value ranking, Southern Regional Technical College landed the #4 spot. Southern Regional Technical College is a public school based in Thomasville, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete their program here. Southern Regional Technical College alumni report median earnings of $31,293 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
You'll get strong value at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Valdosta, GA, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt is $10,864. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,864. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College landed the #6 spot for value in Georgia this year. Based in Sandersville, GA, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,380, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. The median program debt is $12,718. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,899. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #7 spot for value in Georgia this year. Set in Waco, GA, West Georgia Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. West Georgia Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,479 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Chattahoochee Technical College is a public school based in Marietta, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,138. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #9 spot for value in Georgia this year. Located in Griffin, GA, Southern Crescent Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,104 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $17,655. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Luther Rice University And Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Lithonia, GA, Luther Rice University And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,320. Students borrow a median of $36,730 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,003. That is a strong return on a $36,730 median debt. About 92% of those who apply are admitted.
Dalton State College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Dalton, GA, Dalton State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Dalton State College students take on a median of $14,955 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,251 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #13 among the best values in Georgia. Based in Warner Robins, GA, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $11,693. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Clarkesville, GA, North Georgia Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,932 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lanier Technical College landed the #15 spot for value in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Lanier Technical College students take on a median of $12,278 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Albany Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Albany Technical College is a public school based in Albany, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Albany Technical College students take on a median of $16,321 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,541. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Athens Technical College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Athens, GA, Athens Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Athens Technical College students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #18 among the best values in Georgia. Ogeechee Technical College is a public school based in Statesboro, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. The median program debt is $11,894. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,248 ten years after entry. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Savannah Technical College is a public school based in Savannah, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,843. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,018. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 14% of those who apply are admitted.
Columbus Technical College placed #21 among the best values in Georgia. Located in Columbus, GA, Columbus Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,052, while out-of-state students pay about $7,262. Columbus Technical College students take on a median of $15,845 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,238 ten years out. Set against $15,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Highlands College landed the #22 spot for value in Georgia this year. Based in Rome, GA, Georgia Highlands College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Typical student debt is $15,134. Median earnings reach $43,184 ten years out. Set against $15,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Dahlonega, GA, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt is $21,439. Median earnings reach $50,135 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College landed the #24 spot for value in Georgia this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a public school based in Tifton, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students take on a median of $22,368 in debt. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College alumni report median earnings of $34,996 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta Technical College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Augusta Technical College students take on a median of $11,400 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 67 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.