Key takeaways
- Criminology colleges in Georgia offer strong undergraduate programs that prepare students for a variety of career paths.
- Thanks to its rich socio-political history, safe and lively environment, and amazing academic opportunities, Georgia qualifies as an incredible place to live as a student.
- To choose the best college in Georgia for a criminology degree, you must assess and evaluate important factors such as campus location, cost of attendance, acceptance rate, graduation rate, and degree coursework.
- Evaluate whether the college’s urban or rural setting aligns with your preferences and accessibility needs.
- Opt for colleges with high graduation rates, signaling strong academic support and outcomes.
- Housing options and accommodation choices are also significant considerations for on-campus and off-campus students alike.
- Some of the top colleges in Georgia for a criminology degree include the University of West Georgia, Georgia State University, Mercer University, and the University of Georgia.
If you have decided to pursue a degree in criminology, then there is a list of colleges in Georgia that offer the best programs. The list includes many popular private and public colleges in Georgia, as well as HBCU institutes that offer top-notch education with a powerful history. Schools like Georgia Tech and Emory University are renowned for their research programs, offering students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects across various fields.
In this guide, you will find a list of colleges in Georgia ideal for aspiring criminology students and in-depth degree advice.
List of esteemed criminology colleges in Georgia
There are more than 50 recognized and accredited colleges in Georgia. Therefore, choosing the ideal one can be a difficult and overwhelming task. Before you start your college selection process, make sure to acquaint yourself with a criminology major, frequently asked questions about the program, and expected takeaways.
To help you get started, here is a list of the best colleges in Georgia for an undergraduate degree in criminology.
University of West Georgia
The University of West Georgia’s Bachelor of Science in Criminology program offers a comprehensive curriculum focusing on crime and the criminal justice system. The program is dedicated to developing students’ analytical and communication skills through critical examination of crime and justice issues. The coursework is thoroughly focused on case studies and depends largely on highly qualified teachers and professors.
More importantly, the degree prepares students for various professional roles in the criminal justice field or further studies. Moreover, you will find the college to be more accessible than other institutes. It has an acceptance rate of 80%, with an average GPA of 3.4.
Its graduation rate is significantly lower than many other colleges, increasing up to a mere 26%. However, it does offer some other great advantages that might push you towards choosing UGW. Despite being a public institute with a large enrollment every year, it maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. 47% of its classes comprise of students 20 or less.
Additionally, the college guarantees a good student life, with more than 46% of its student body coming from ethnic minority groups. It has more than 36 sports teams, with 11 fraternities and multiple student clubs and organizations. If you are an out-of-state student, you can explore the various housing options it has, including apartment-style housing and dorm rooms.
Georgia State University
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Georgia State University is offered through the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. The program primarily focuses on providing substantial knowledge to students about the criminal justice system. It prepares them for successful careers in criminal justice systems and law enforcement.
Moreover, within this program, you will be able to cover a variety of subjects and areas such as corrections, policymaking, and social research. For students who are particularly interested in continuing higher studies such as a master’s in related fields, GSU has excellent options available.
Additionally, the college has a decent acceptance rate of 61%, with an average GPA requirement of 3.6. It has a graduation rate of 34%. Most notably, its student body has an ethnic minority enrollment of more than 70%. This guarantees greater exposure and learning experience for all the students, as well as incredible networking opportunities for their career progression.
If you are interested in college sports in Georgia, GSU is the best option. It houses more than 76 sports teams in various categories, including college football and basketball. For out-of-state students or anyone who wishes to reside on campus, housing options include coed dorms, apartments, themed housing, fraternity housing, sorority housing, and housing for specially-abled individuals.
Mercer University
One of the many reasons why criminology graduates can explore diverse career paths is that the subject is very interdisciplinary. To leverage the interdisciplinary nature of criminology, you should take a look at the Criminal Justice major at Mercer University. The program offers a multidisciplinary approach to understanding crime, law enforcement, and the justice system.
The program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, legal studies, or advanced studies. Moreover, some of the core courses and electives of the program are noteworthy. It includes many common yet essential courses such as criminal law, victimology, criminology ethics, and sociology.
Furthermore, its specializations include juvenile justice, victimology, forensic science, and many more. In addition to an incredible criminology major, Mercer University has an acceptance rate of 71%, with an average GPA requirement of 3.9. Therefore, if you had a high GPA in high school, you should definitely give this college a shot. Its graduation rate is also higher than many other colleges in Georgia, at 67%.
However, one of the many reasons why students would prefer studying here is its significantly lower student-to-faculty ratio of just 13:1. A low ratio ensures higher classroom participation, personalized learning, and individual attention. It also encourages more opportunities for networking and bonding with faculty members.
As for campus life, Mercer University hosts frequent annual events and career fairs. It has more than 35 sports teams, 12 fraternities, and 6 sororities. Lastly, it has a decent diversity rate in its student body, with 52% of it belonging to ethnic minorities.
University of Georgia
According to US News, the University of Georgia is a top-rated public school nationwide. It maintains a high standard of education and guarantees the best college success for students. However, it does have restrictive admission criteria and has an acceptance rate of just over 45%, with an average GPA requirement of over 3.5.
Besides, it has an excellent program for students interested in criminology. The A.B. in Criminal Justice through an interdisciplinary program that blends the study of criminology, law, and criminal justice with a liberal arts education.
The program prepares students for careers in law enforcement, legal studies, corrections, and public service. Studying here will help you develop and polish many crucial skills such as ethical thinking, critical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving. All of these are transferable skills that can be applied to many career paths and professions.
How to choose criminology colleges in Georgia?
One of the most crucial decisions in your college planning will be the institute that you select for a criminology degree in Georgia. This is an important decision that needs some time and thinking. Therefore, don’t miss out on the following factors that require your consideration to select the perfect college in Georgia.
Campus location
Firstly, don’t underestimate the value of a good campus location that aligns with your preferences and academic goals. Check out the campus setting, whether urban or rural, and see if the surroundings suit your taste. Moreover, consider public transport facilities so that it is easier for you to get around the city without facing a huge cost. Moreover, safety and security are huge concerns, so make sure that the neighborhood around the campus is lively, vibrant, and secure.
Cost of attendance
Secondly, one of the many reasons why students can’t commit to college education is the financial burden. You need to do some research and compare the cost of attendance at various colleges in Georgia. Explore not only the tuition fee but also other important charges that can add to bring the total cost up. Once you have compared the COA, don’t miss out on the financial aid options. From government-backed funds and aid to scholarships and work-study loans, you should tap into all the options available. Good financial aid support allows you to enjoy the next 4 years of college with peace of mind.
Acceptance rate
A passion for criminology should be the main answer to why pursue a criminology degree. You must balance passion with practicality. With your passion for criminology majors, you must compare the ease of admission offered by each college. For that, look into the acceptance rates and other criteria. For example, colleges tend to have standard or average GPA requirements as well as SAT and ACT scores. Compare the requirements of different colleges, and wisely pick the one that aligns better with your academic background and qualifications.
Graduation rate
Next, don’t forget to look into the most underrated parameter while college planning, which is the graduation rate. This is the percentage that indicates the number of students that graduate annually from the college. The higher the graduate the better. A high graduation rate implies that the college is easier to pass out from, as well as reflects the standards of education.
Degree coursework
Lastly, explore the degree coursework, electives, specializations, and minor options offered to students by each college. The coursework will outline what kind of knowledge and skills you will be able to earn from the college. Make sure you see some relevant subjects and criminology courses that align with your career goals. Moreover, many colleges do not offer standalone criminology degree programs. Instead, they offer criminology as part of a large program, or related degrees that can allow you to build a career in criminology. For example, a college may offer a sociology undergraduate degree, with a concentration in criminology. Other colleges may offer undergraduate programs for criminal justice and law, which can let you enjoy criminology degree jobs.
Earn your criminology college degree today!
In conclusion, the right criminology college in Georgia is the one that offers academic, professional, and personal growth opportunities. A good college for criminology majors significantly impacts your academic and professional journey. With a range of reputable institutions such as the University of West Georgia, Georgia State University, Mercer University, and the University of Georgia, you have diverse options to consider.
Georgia’s affordable living makes it an attractive place for students pursuing higher education. Each college offers unique strengths, whether it’s a high graduation rate, strong academic support, or specialized coursework. However, to select the ideal college, you must assess and evaluate important factors such as campus location, cost of attendance, acceptance rates, and degree coursework.
Living and studying in Georgia promises an enriching experience, combining Southern hospitality with dynamic city life and beautiful landscapes. So, make sure the college you choose aligns with your preferences, whether you choose to study in an urban or rural setting. Make an informed choice and embark on your criminology career path with confidence.