2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Georgia
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong criminal justice studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Atlanta Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in Georgia. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Pines Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $44,007. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,423. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $9,616. Criminal Justice Studies 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.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. 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 placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. 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, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $12,651. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dalton State College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,550. 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.
Albany Technical College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $20,701 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,895. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $31,698. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #13 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Lanier Technical College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus Technical College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. 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. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,845. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Savannah Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,125 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta Technical College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,165. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $22,363 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies 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 landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,968 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southeastern Technical College generally make around $38,284. That is a strong return on a $10,290 median debt.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College came in at #22 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,954. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,716. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,073. Set against $15,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valdosta State University landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $35,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Georgia Gwinnett College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $21,280. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Columbus State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,917 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $64,555 early in their careers. Set against $21,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 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), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
