Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia
- 25
- Schools
- $51,119
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,763
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,381
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 25 schools run from $33,252 to $102,772, a 3.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus delivers the most for the money: roughly $102,772 in median earnings against $12,116 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Atlanta Metropolitan State College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,258 a year in net price.
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates 93% of its students, versus a 48% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Atlanta Metropolitan State College costs $5,258 a year and Morehouse College costs $39,013. Yet their graduates earn $33,252 and $52,889, nowhere near the $33,755 price gap.
- Graduation rates split the field: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus finishes 93% of students while Atlanta Metropolitan State College finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $48K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus #1 overall | $102,772 ▲ +101% vs avg | $12,116 | 93% | 96 |
| 2 Emory University #2 overall | $80,137 ▲ +57% vs avg | $22,585 | 91% | 79 |
| 3 University of Georgia #3 overall | $68,726 ▲ +34% vs avg | $13,936 | 89% | 77 |
| $57,552 ▲ +13% vs avg | $15,048 | 50% | 75 | |
| $47,384 ▼ -7% vs avg | $15,931 | 53% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia
This analysis ranks 25 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,119 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $16,763.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Net Price: $12,116 | Graduation Rate: 93%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — 93% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $102,772
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$48,472
Median earnings (10yr)
42%
Median graduation rate
$15,267
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Start with the medians across these 25 schools. Graduates earn a median of $48,472 ten years after enrollment, or about $472 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 42%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,267 a year with about $21,672 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 40% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.7%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $48,472 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Atlanta, GA · 14% accepted · $12,116 net
Why it ranks #1
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus lands at #1 with a 96/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $102,772 a decade after enrolling, 101% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,116 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Emory University lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 57% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Georgia lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $68,726 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,936 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Kennesaw State University lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $57,552 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,048 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Georgia State University lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $47,384 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,931 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of North Georgia lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $50,135 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,823 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Georgia Southern University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $53,236 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,267 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Mercer University lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,354 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,847 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Clayton State University lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,179 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,365 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Milledgeville, GA · 78% accepted · $20,686 net
Why it ranks #10
Georgia College & State University lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,140 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,686 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Berry College lands at #11 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,800 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Columbus State University lands at #12 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,544 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,115 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Middle Georgia State University lands at #13 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,863 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,361 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Valdosta State University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $49,361 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,945 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Augusta University lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $48,472 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,787 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Gordon State College lands at #16 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $37,871 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,105 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Atlanta Metropolitan State College lands at #17 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $33,252 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Shorter University lands at #18 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,604 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,646 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Fort Valley State University lands at #19 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $36,666 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Georgia Gwinnett College lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $47,730 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,844 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Georgia Military College lands at #21 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $39,257 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,923 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Morehouse College lands at #22 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $52,889 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Life University lands at #23 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $47,397 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,791 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Point University lands at #24 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,740 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,335 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Herzing University-Atlanta lands at #25 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (27/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,679 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 25 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →Choosing the right computer science program can significantly impact a student's future. In Georgia, 24 colleges offer computer science degrees, each with unique strengths. With an average earning potential of $50,394 for graduates, this decision is more than just about education—it's about financial stability after college.
The schools listed below stand out based on key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. Students should look closely at these metrics. For instance, Georgia Tech graduates have the highest average earnings at $102,772, and a graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, Augusta University, while offering a degree, has a much lower graduation rate of 49% and average earnings of $48,472, highlighting the importance of choosing a program that not only provides the degree but also supports students through to graduation.
For example, Georgia Tech and Emory University both offer strong computer science programs, but they differ greatly in net price and outcomes. Georgia Tech's net price is $12,116, while Emory's is significantly higher at $22,585. Despite this, Emory graduates still earn a respectable average of $80,137, showcasing the tradeoff between immediate costs and long-term earnings potential. Understanding these differences can help students align their choices with their financial goals and career aspirations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 20 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Morehouse College leads the group at 3.1%, with Fort Valley State University (2.8%) and Mercer University (2.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Atlanta Metropolitan State College enrolls the most, at 25.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 23.4% across the list, peaking at 57.5% at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.31, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Emory University is highest at 1.78.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we compare Georgia Tech and Augusta University, the data reveals significant differences in outcomes that are essential for prospective students. Georgia Tech boasts a graduation rate of 93% and an average earning of $102,772, while Augusta University has a disappointing 49% graduation rate and average earnings of only $48,472. This stark contrast underlines how choosing a school with a strong support system can lead to better career outcomes.
As you sift through these schools, consider what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing a strong graduation rate, lower debt, or a program that fits your interests? Weigh these data points against your own financial situation and career goals. Choosing a school isn't just about the numbers; it's about finding the right fit for your future.
Ultimately, data like this illustrates the varying paths students can take from college to a stable career. One family's choice might revolve around prioritizing a school like Georgia Tech, known for high earnings and graduation rates, while another might consider factors like campus culture and financial aid options. Every decision shapes the future, so it's crucial to choose wisely based on what aligns with your family's values and goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia ranking? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus in Atlanta, GA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $102,772 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $102,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,119 average across the 25 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus leads: graduates earn a median $102,772 against net price of about $12,116 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93%, compared with a 48% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,763 a year across the 25 ranked schools with cost data. Atlanta Metropolitan State College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,258. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 25 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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