2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Georgia
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Georgia? This list ranks 141 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 28 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Georgia
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Georgia Southwestern State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Georgia. Georgia Southwestern State University is a public school based in Americus, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,245. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%. More on Georgia Southwestern State University
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values in Georgia. University Of North Georgia is a public school based in Dahlonega, GA. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,439. University Of North Georgia alumni report median earnings of $50,135 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Georgia
Middle Georgia State University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Georgia. Located in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,863 ten years out. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%. More on Middle Georgia State University
You'll get strong value at University Of West Georgia, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Carrollton, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $49,587 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of West Georgia report
Augusta University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Georgia. Located in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,472 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,745 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants. Get the full Augusta University report
Georgia College And State University placed #6 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. This public school is set in Milledgeville, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,412. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. More on Georgia College And State University
Valdosta State University landed the #7 spot for value in Georgia this year. Valdosta State University is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,661. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,361. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Valdosta State University
Albany State University landed the #8 spot for value in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Albany, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Albany State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,158 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,674 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Albany State University report
Georgia Southern University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,236 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about Georgia Southern University
Kennesaw State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Kennesaw, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,552 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants. More on Kennesaw State University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. 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. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Piedmont College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Piedmont College is a private not-for-profit school based in Demorest, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,700. Graduates carry a median of $29,975 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. Get the full Piedmont College report
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for value in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Columbus State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Columbus, GA, Columbus State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,493. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,544 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Columbus State University report
Fort Valley State University placed #15 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Located in Fort Valley, GA, Fort Valley State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,526, compared with $16,878 for out-of-state students. Fort Valley State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $35,963 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,666. That is a strong return on a $35,963 median debt. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants. See the full Fort Valley State University profile
Savannah State University landed the #16 spot for value in Georgia this year. Based in Savannah, GA, Savannah State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Savannah State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,576 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,981. Set against $31,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Savannah State University report
Georgia State University landed the #17 spot for value in Georgia this year. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Georgia State University alumni report median earnings of $47,384 a decade after entry. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Georgia State University report
Clayton State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Morrow, GA, Clayton State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $35,088. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read more about Clayton State University
Truett Mcconnell College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Truett Mcconnell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Graduates carry a median of $24,936 in student loans. Median earnings reach $46,700 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. See the full Truett Mcconnell College profile
Brenau University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Gainesville, GA, Brenau University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $36,299. Median earnings reach $54,003 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants. More on Brenau University
Covenant College placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Based in Lookout Mountain, GA, Covenant College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,040. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Covenant College alumni report median earnings of $50,412 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Covenant College admits about 86% of applicants. Read more about Covenant College
Mercer University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Macon, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,565. Graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,354 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%. Read the full report on Mercer University
Thomas University placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Located in Thomasville, GA, Thomas University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,454. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,716 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,454 median debt. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Thomas University report
Devry University Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Decatur, GA, Devry University Georgia is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Students borrow a median of $46,807 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Devry University Georgia
Lagrange College landed the #25 spot for value in Georgia this year. Based in Lagrange, GA, Lagrange College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,400. Lagrange College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,745 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 62% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Lagrange College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Georgia
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Emory University landed the #26 spot for value in Georgia this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,137 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Emory University has an acceptance rate of 11%. Read the full report on Emory University
Clark Atlanta University placed #27 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Clark Atlanta University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Students from in state pay about $28,310 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,803 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,712 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 64% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Clark Atlanta University
American Intercontinental University Atlanta came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a private for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,527. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $39,107. American Intercontinental University Atlanta alumni report median earnings of $36,144 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt. More on American Intercontinental University Atlanta
South University Savannah landed the #29 spot for value in Georgia this year. Get the full South University Savannah report
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Miller Motte Technical College Augusta came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Miller Motte Technical College Augusta report
Life University
Life University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Life University report
Lincoln College Of Technology Marietta placed #33 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read the full report on Lincoln College Of Technology Marietta
Mak Beauty Institute placed #34 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Get the full Mak Beauty Institute report
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Atlanta offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Atlanta
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Beaver Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Beaver Beauty Academy profile
Empire Beauty School Augusta came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Empire Beauty School Augusta report
Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center landed the #39 spot for value in Georgia this year. Read the full report on Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center
Herzing University Atlanta placed #40 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Georgia. Read more about Herzing University Atlanta
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
International School Of Skin Nailcare And Massage Therapy came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full International School Of Skin Nailcare And Massage Therapy report
Keune Academy By 124 landed the #43 spot for value in Georgia this year. Get the full Keune Academy By 124 report
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Coastal Pines Technical College
Pontifex University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Pontifex University
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southern Regional Technical College profile
Brewton Parker College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Brewton Parker College
Miller Motte Technical College Columbus ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Miller Motte Technical College Columbus profile
Morehouse School Of Medicine landed the #49 spot for value in Georgia this year. Get the full Morehouse School Of Medicine report
Gwinnett College Marietta Campus came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Gwinnett College Marietta Campus profile
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 28 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 141 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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