As the birthplace of public higher education in the United States, the University of Georgia fosters an exceptional teaching and learning environment that serves a diverse student population and drives student success. The University is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, researchers, and informed citizens ready to make a difference in the world. As both a land-grant and sea-grant institution, UGA is Georgia's oldest and most comprehensive higher education establishment. Its motto, “to teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things,” reflects its vital role in advancing the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic strengths of the state and the nation.
The 2023-2024 academic year marked one of the University’s most successful periods. To enhance teaching and learning excellence, UGA expanded active learning practices across classrooms and recruited additional faculty and advisors in high-demand fields. The University reached record levels in enrollment and graduation rates. Additionally, new scholarship programs are attracting and retaining top-tier undergraduates, while initiatives like the ALL Georgia program for rural students are opening doors for more Georgians to benefit from UGA’s world-class education.
1.A: Enrollment Trends
The University of Georgia continues to maintain a strong enrollment, with a current total of 43,146 students, including 32,399 undergraduates, 9,051 graduate students, and 1,696 in professional programs. Over the past decade, enrollment has grown by 23%, averaging an annual increase of 2%. Undergraduate enrollment has risen by an average of 1.9% each year, while graduate enrollment has seen the highest growth, averaging 3.0% annually. Professional school enrollment has remained relatively stable, with a modest average annual increase of 0.8%. The university recently released a Strategic Enrollment Management plan, aimed at managing on-campus undergraduate enrollment within available resources, expanding online graduate programs, increasing opportunities for undergraduate transfers, and enhancing economic and social mobility for students.
1.B: Student Demographics
The University of Georgia welcomes students with a wide range of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and challenges. Most UGA undergraduates are traditional-age (24 years or younger), enter as first-year students, live on campus during their first year, and pursue a first bachelor’s degree. In Fall 2024, the undergraduate population reached 32,399, with 83% from Georgia, 16% from out of state, and 1% international. Nearly all (95%) were enrolled full-time, 57% were female, 21% qualified for Pell grants, and 14.1% were first-generation college students. The incoming 2024 full-time, first-year cohort averaged 10 AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses taken in high school.
As part of its commitment to serving the entire state, UGA prioritizes recruiting, retaining, and supporting underrepresented, first-generation, rural, and other traditionally underserved students and is focused on increasing the affordability of a UGA degree. Despite FAFSA challenges this year, the number of Pell-eligible students rose by 22%, from 5,586 to 6,805, with UGA students receiving an additional $9 million in Pell grants. This increase was notable among middle-income undergraduates, with family adjusted gross incomes between $55,000 and $99,000.
1.C: Financial Aid
UGA launched the Georgia Commitment Scholarship campaign to put a UGA education within the financial reach of more residents of the state. The GCS program is a need-based scholarship program that is available to first-year undergraduate students. The scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years (8 semesters), comes with a variety of programs and resources to support student success. The total number of GCS recipients has steadily increased from 94 in AY 2017-18 to 716 in 2023-24. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Office of Student Financial Aid disbursed a total of $426,799,186 of federal, state, institutional, and other/external programs to 30,421 unique undergraduate students (with 162 students self-identifying as independent, i.e., former foster youth, wards of the court, orphans, homeless or with legal guardians). To increase affordability, UGA no longer charges students any lab and course material fees or the special institutional fee. The university believes that finding new ways to remove financial barriers for our students is part of our mission.
1.D: Student Success Metrics
UGA students excel once they arrive on campus. The university’s first-year retention rate, reflecting the percentage of first-time, first-year undergraduates who return for a second year, stands at 94%. For first-generation students, the retention rate is 88%, while 96% of students from rural areas continue into their second year at UGA. The university’s four-year graduation rate reached a record 75.7%, and its six-year graduation rate also set a new high at 89.1%. UGA’s success rates exceed those of peer institutions; the average six-year graduation rate at comparable institutions is 80.3%, while aspirational peer institutions average 85.3%.
UGA’s graduation rates continue to improve for Pell students, First-Generation students, and Transfer students, reflecting the university's commitment to supporting diverse pathways to academic success. Among Pell Grant recipients, the four-year graduation rate improved from 69% to 73%, and the six-year rate also climbed from 84% to 86%. First-generation students saw a four-year graduation rate increase from 68% to 72%, with their six-year rate holding steady at 81%. For transfer students, the four-year equivalent graduation rate increased from 65% to 69%, while the six-year rate rose from 84% to 86%. These positive trends demonstrate UGA’s success in enhancing graduation outcomes across these key student groups.
UGA’s campus experience prepares students well for post-graduation success. Career outcomes data from the UGA Career Center reveal that 96% of the class of 2023 were employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. This year marks UGA’s 12th consecutive year with a career outcomes rate of 90% or higher, consistently 8% to 11% above the national average, as reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
1.E: National Reputation and Rankings
The University of Georgia continues to earn high rankings across multiple media platforms for its excellence in student life, academics, value, and inclusivity. Recently, UGA was ranked No. 14 on Niche’s 2025 list of Top Public Universities in the U.S., based on an analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education related to academics, admissions, finances, and student life. Additionally, UGA was recognized in The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings, earning No. 13 in the nation for best value among public schools, No. 12 for best value public colleges without aid, No. 16 for internships, No. 11 for financial aid, and No. 9 for best alumni networks.
The Jere W. Morehead Honors College was ranked No. 1 in the nation by College Transitions, authors of the guide Colleges Worth Your Money. The ranking was based on selectivity, program benefits, and rigor. UGA’s School of Law was named the best value in legal education by The National Jurist, marking the fourth time in six years it has held the top spot. Furthermore, Financial Times ranked the Terry College of Business’s full-time MBA program No. 1 worldwide for value for the money.
For the 11th consecutive year, UGA has been nationally recognized for its commitment to inclusive excellence with the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity, the only national recognition that honors colleges and universities for outstanding achievements in promoting inclusivity.
