by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Georgia? This list ranks 122 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 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 122 schools to build this 2027 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 122 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:
For return on investment, no school beat Coastal Pines Technical College this year 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.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Georgia. 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.
A rank of #3 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values 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.
A rank of #4 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values in Georgia. 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.
Out of the 122 schools in Georgia in this year's value ranking, Southern Regional Technical College landed the #5 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.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Dalton State College landed the #7 spot for value in Georgia this year. 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.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #8 spot for value in Georgia this year. 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.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 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.
Atlanta Technical College placed #10 among the best values in Georgia. 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.
Gwinnett Technical College placed #11 among the best values in Georgia. This public school is set in Lawrenceville, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Gwinnett Technical College students take on a median of $18,048 in debt. Gwinnett Technical College alumni report median earnings of $45,025 a decade after entry. Set against $18,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. 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.
Southern Crescent Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. 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.
Columbus Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. 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.
Savannah Technical College placed #15 among the best values in Georgia. 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 Highlands College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Athens Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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 landed the #18 spot for value in Georgia this year. 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.
University Of North Georgia placed #19 among the best values in Georgia. 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%.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Albany Technical College placed #21 among the best values in Georgia. 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.
Lanier Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College placed #23 among the best values in Georgia. 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.
Clayton State University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Clayton State University is a public school based in Morrow, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. The median program debt is $35,088. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,179. That is a strong return on a $35,088 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt is $21,792. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 122 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.