REGIONAL OVERVIEW

graduation rates were Calhoun (100%), Chickamauga (100%) and Trion (98.7%) city schools and Murray (97.3%), Gordon (97.0%) and Haralson (96.6%) county schools. These graduating seniors represent the future workforce of northwest Georgia and should be encouraged to participate in apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job training programs; attend technical college; or enroll in traditional colleges and universities in order to achieve their career goals. (2021 Four-Year Graduation Rates by county are listed in the appendix.)

College and Career Academies

In northwest Georgia, high schools and their post-secondary partners are joining together to create local college and career academies to prepare high school students to meet the needs of employers in advanced manufacturing and other highskilled professions. College and Career Academies are unique learning environments that provide the best opportunities for school systems to focus educational resources on the needs of their community, local businesses, and area industries. Working closely with local employers, eleven communities in northwest Georgia have established college and career academies; these include Floyd County College and Career Academy (in Rome), City of Rome College and Career Academy, Catoosa County College and Career Academy (in Ringgold), Fannin County College and Career Academy (in Blue Ridge), Gordon County College and Career Academy (in Calhoun), Haralson County College and Career Academy, Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy (in Dalton), Bartow County College and Career Academy (in Cartersville), Paulding County College & Career Academy (in Dallas), Polk County College and Career Academy (in Rockmart), and Calhoun City College and Career Academy (in Calhoun).

Educational Attainment

More than 80% of the region’s population over 25 years old are high school graduates or higher. Approximately 25% have a college degree, including 7.8% with an associate’s degree, 12.0% with a bachelor’s degree, and 7.0% with a graduate or professional degree. Unfortunately, this leaves approximately 15% of the adult population with less than a high school degree, and 6.3% of the adult population has less than a 9th grade education. For the region to attract and retain professional, technology, or advanced manufacturingoriented employers, the workforce needs additional skilled workers with technical training, certifications, and degrees, as well as a college educated and professional workforce component.  

Institutions of Higher Education

Post-secondary education in northwest Georgia is provided by the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and private colleges. Three technical colleges serve the region; including Georgia Northwestern Technical College with campuses in Floyd, Walker, Catoosa, Gordon, Polk, and Whitfield counties; Chattahoochee Technical College with campuses in Pickens, Bartow, and Paulding counties; and West Georgia Technical College with a campus in Haralson County. The technical college system provides a broad range of career opportunities through a variety of certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs; continuing education programs; and economic development programs. Two University System of Georgia colleges also serve northwest Georgia; Georgia Highlands College in Floyd County and Dalton State College in Whitfield County. Additionally, University of North Georgia, Kennesaw State University, and University of West Georgia have satellite campuses in the region. Berry College, Shorter University, and Covenant College are also located in the area.