# Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 23 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-georgia

## Methodology

Criminal Justice programs in Georgia ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a career in criminal justice, choosing the right college can significantly impact future opportunities. In Georgia, 23 institutions offer programs that equip students with the skills needed for this field. With average earnings for graduates around $43,683, it's essential to understand which schools can best prepare students for success.

The standout schools on this list have been ranked based on key outcomes such as graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and student debt. Each school has its own strengths, making it important to look closely at how they compare. For instance, Kennesaw State University boasts the highest earnings at $57,552, alongside a solid 50% graduation rate, while schools like Dalton State College, while more affordable, show lower earnings and graduation rates.

Take the University of North Georgia and Kennesaw State University as examples. While UNG has a lower average debt of $17,750 and a net price of $9,823, Kennesaw State offers significantly higher earnings potential but comes with more debt at $23,833. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students may face, making it crucial to weigh financial factors against potential career returns.

## Key Findings

- Kennesaw State University graduates earn an average of $57,552, the highest on this list.
- Dalton State College has the lowest net price at $5,012, providing a more affordable option.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 34%, indicating varying levels of student success.
- Thomas University has the highest debt burden at $21,198, which could impact financial stability after graduation.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Kennesaw State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kennesaw-state-university) | Kennesaw, GA | 50% | $57,552 | $15,048 | $23,833 | 0.41x |
| 2 | [University of North Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-georgia) | Dahlonega, GA | 37% | $50,135 | $9,823 | $17,750 | 0.35x |
| 3 | [Columbus State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbus-state-university) | Columbus, GA | 42% | $44,544 | $13,115 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 4 | [Valdosta State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valdosta-state-university) | Valdosta, GA | 42% | $49,361 | $10,945 | $24,779 | 0.5x |
| 5 | [Georgia Southwestern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-southwestern-state-university) | Americus, GA | 36% | $48,757 | $12,019 | $18,851 | 0.39x |
| 6 | [Dalton State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dalton-state-college) | Dalton, GA | 28% | $40,251 | $5,012 | $12,937 | 0.32x |
| 7 | [Piedmont University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/piedmont-university) | Demorest, GA | 44% | $49,130 | $20,599 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 8 | [Thomas University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-university) | Thomasville, GA | 28% | $49,716 | $18,499 | $21,198 | 0.43x |
| 9 | [Fort Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-valley-state-university) | Fort Valley, GA | 43% | $36,666 | $10,338 | $31,000 | 0.85x |
| 10 | [Shorter University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shorter-university) | Rome, GA | 37% | $44,604 | $16,646 | $25,000 | 0.56x |
| 11 | [College of Coastal Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-coastal-georgia) | Brunswick, GA | 26% | $39,318 | $15,261 | $15,039 | 0.38x |
| 12 | [Truett McConnell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/truett-mcconnell-university) | Cleveland, GA | 39% | $46,700 | $22,227 | $23,439 | 0.5x |
| 13 | [Middle Georgia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middle-georgia-state-university) | Macon, GA | 25% | $40,863 | $12,361 | $19,000 | 0.46x |
| 14 | [Reinhardt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/reinhardt-university) | Waleska, GA | 39% | $46,541 | $24,425 | $23,900 | 0.51x |
| 15 | [Clark Atlanta University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clark-atlanta-university) | Atlanta, GA | 48% | $42,712 | $37,702 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 16 | [Savannah State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/savannah-state-university) | Savannah, GA | 27% | $37,981 | $8,172 | $28,000 | 0.74x |
| 17 | [Georgia Military College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-military-college) | Milledgeville, GA | 35% | $39,257 | $16,923 | $8,563 | 0.22x |
| 18 | [Albany State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albany-state-university) | Albany, GA | 27% | $40,674 | $11,898 | $25,024 | 0.62x |
| 19 | [Atlanta Metropolitan State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/atlanta-metropolitan-state-college) | Atlanta, GA | 16% | $33,252 | $5,258 | $14,123 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [Georgia Gwinnett College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-gwinnett-college) | Lawrenceville, GA | 21% | $47,730 | $15,844 | $20,076 | 0.42x |
| 21 | [Point University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/point-university) | West Point, GA | 38% | $38,740 | $25,335 | $25,250 | 0.65x |
| 22 | [Brewton-Parker College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brewton-parker-college) | Mount Vernon, GA | 22% | $42,009 | $26,054 | $24,990 | 0.59x |
| 23 | [Emmanuel University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emmanuel-university) | Franklin Springs, GA | 38% | $38,208 | $20,925 | $24,325 | 0.64x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-georgia

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.