Best colleges for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Georgia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Kennesaw State University and University of West Georgia are the top bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Georgia by graduate earnings. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,429, College Scorecard. University of Georgia, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Georgia: 255, 185 and 177 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Georgia colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development and award 1,349 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focused on subject areas, prepares individuals for careers in education by providing essential training and knowledge in various teaching disciplines. This program is…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,429 | 39 | 36% | — | $26,250 |
| 2 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,243 | 91 | 52% | — | $26,500 |
| 3 | University of West Georgia Carrollton Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,308 | 185 | 43% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Georgia Athens Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,129 | 255 | 90% | — | $20,750 |
| 5 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,102 | 21 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,063 | 73 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Valdosta State University Valdosta Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,642 | 177 | 42% | — | — |
| 8 | Columbus State University Columbus Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,616 | 31 | 42% | — | $28,040 |
| 9 | Georgia State University Atlanta Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,967 | 137 | 53% | — | $28,687 |
| 10 | Reinhardt University Waleska Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,566 | 9 | 44% | $28,040 | $30,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta University Augusta Public · Graduate degree | $54,156 | 135 | 49% | — | $25,969 |
Colleges awarding the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Georgia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens Public | 255 | $43,129 |
| 2 | University of West Georgia Carrollton Public | 185 | $43,308 |
| 3 | Valdosta State University Valdosta Public | 177 | $40,642 |
| 4 | Georgia State University Atlanta Public | 137 | $26,967 |
| 5 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw Public | 91 | $45,243 |
| 6 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro Public | 73 | $41,063 |
| 7 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville Public | 72 | Not reported |
| 8 | Piedmont University Demorest Private not-for-profit | 45 | Not reported |
| 9 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton Public | 39 | $50,429 |
| 10 | Columbus State University Columbus Public | 31 | $40,616 |
ShowHide the other 14 Georgia colleges offering Teacher Education and Professional Development
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta University | Augusta | Public | 135 |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega | Public | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus | Public | 17 |
| Mercer University | Macon | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Emmanuel University | Franklin Springs | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Reinhardt University | Waleska | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | Public | 7 |
| Shorter University | Rome | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Young Harris College | Young Harris | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Savannah State University | Savannah | Public | 4 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Truett McConnell University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021).
Top skills
What Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Georgia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Georgia.
Which Georgia colleges award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees?+
University of Georgia (255 graduates a year), University of West Georgia (185 graduates a year) and Valdosta State University (177 graduates a year) award the most Teacher Education and Professional Development degrees in Georgia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Georgia colleges offer Teacher Education and Professional Development.
What is the best college for Teacher Education and Professional Development in Georgia?+
By graduate earnings, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College leads among bachelor's Teacher Education and Professional Development programs in Georgia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,429, College Scorecard. Kennesaw State University and University of West Georgia follow. By degrees awarded, University of Georgia is the largest, with 255 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Teacher Education and Professional Development program in Georgia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College tops the list at $50,429. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn in Georgia?+
The average annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Georgia is $70,720 (median $72,290), across about 43,820 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Teacher Education and Professional Development program?+
The Teacher Education and Professional Development program, specifically focused on subject areas, prepares individuals for careers in education by providing essential training and knowledge in various teaching disciplines. This program is…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop learning strategies, speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?+
The national job outlook is about -2.0% growth with around 91,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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