Admit rate has ranged 37%–48% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Georgia isn't just the state's flagship—it's a powerhouse where Southern charm meets rigorous academics. With a 38% acceptance rate and an average admitted GPA of 4.17, UGA attracts top-tier students who thrive in its 250+ academic programs. Football Saturdays in Athens are legendary, but so are the outcomes: 93% of graduates land jobs or grad school spots within six months. For in-state students, it's a steal; for out-of-staters, it's a gateway to the SEC's academic elite.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Considered (not required)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
32,137
In-state tuition
$11,450
Out-of-state tuition
$31,688
Acceptance Rate
38%
Career Outcomes Rate
93%
Percent Receiving Aid
29.58%
Student-Faculty Ratio
17:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
87%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,726
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.9×
Median debt at graduation
$18,500
Graduation rate
90%
First-year retention
94%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
68%
Pell (lower-income) share
51%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$63,970
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$70,456
Management Information Systems and Services$68,778
Computer Engineering$67,164
Agricultural Engineering$64,791
Biochemical Engineering$59,417
International Business$57,920
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
12
Per 1,000 students
0.37
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
104
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
54.6"
Annual snow
0.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
862
Scholarly works
141,519
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Future-scholar output
Science & engineering PhDstop 50 nationally
Humanities & social-science PhDstop 15 nationally
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Georgia?
University of Georgia's acceptance rate is approximately 38% (Athens, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Georgia?
Admitted students at University of Georgia typically score 1270–1480 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Georgia cost?
At University of Georgia, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,936 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Georgia?
University of Georgia enrolls approximately 32,137 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Georgia located?
University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA.
Admissions
Getting into UGA is no cakewalk—the Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovers around 38%, with early applicants facing a slightly steeper 34.1% admit rate. The middle 50% of admitted students boast SAT scores between 1220–1400 or ACT scores of 27–33, though the most recent class averaged a 1421 SAT and 32.47 ACT. Academically, UGA expects rigor: 93% of admits had mostly A grades, and the average weighted GPA is a staggering 4.17. Unlike some peers, UGA doesn’t offer test-optional admissions—SAT or ACT scores are mandatory. The university also values course load intensity, with typical admits taking 11–16 AP, IB, or dual-enrollment classes.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Finance and Financial Management Services
$57,907
Insurance$56,528
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
35%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
UGA’s 17 colleges and schools offer 142 majors, from agribusiness to viral immunology. The student-faculty ratio is 17:1, though 45.2% of classes have fewer than 20 students—surprising for a public university with over 30,000 undergrads. Students describe the workload as “much more difficult” than peer institutions, with STEM and business programs particularly demanding. The Terry College of Business and Grady College of Journalism are standouts, but even niche programs like avian biology draw national attention. Professors earn praise for being “approachable and invested,” though gen-ed lectures can feel impersonal.
Athens isn’t just a college town—it’s a cultural hub with live music, farm-to-table dining, and a thriving arts scene. On campus, 66% of students live in university housing, creating a tight-knit community. Football is religion: Sanford Stadium’s “Between the Hedges” games draw 92,000+ fans. But there’s more than tailgates—UGA hosts 800+ student clubs, from beekeeping to blockchain investing. The Division of Student Affairs keeps calendars packed with “events almost daily”, including service trips, hackathons, and Dawgs After Dark late-night programming. Greek life is prominent (23% of students join), but independents find plenty of niches.
UGA’s 93% career outcomes rate crushes the national average by 11.7 percentage points. Within six months of graduation, 96% of alumni are employed or in grad school—with journalism and business grads landing roles at CNN, Delta, and Fortune 500s. The six-year graduation rate is an impressive 87%, ranking in the top 10% nationally. Early-career salaries average $42,800, climbing to $50,200 after eight years. Pre-professional pipelines thrive: UGA is a top feeder for Emory med school and Georgia Law, with 60% of graduates entering directly into careers.
For Georgians, UGA is a bargain—the average net price is $16,303 after aid, with 29.58% of students receiving financial aid (average package: $16,335). Out-of-state sticker shock is real, but merit scholarships like the Foundation Fellowship cover full rides. The university meets 100% of demonstrated need for in-state Pell Grant recipients. Hidden costs add up: mandatory fees for athletics ($546) and campus transit ($252) aren’t included in base tuition. Use UGA’s Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates—just know that housing in Athens’ booming rental market can eclipse campus costs.
UGA strikes a rare balance: elite but accessible, massive yet personal. Its public Ivy-caliber academics (especially in business, journalism, and agriculture) come wrapped in SEC football frenzy. The Athens music scene—birthplace of R.E.M. and the B-52s—gives Austin a run for its money. Unlike hyper-competitive flagships, UGA fosters collaboration, with undergrads routinely publishing research alongside professors. For LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants.-seeking Georgians, it’s a no-brainer; for out-of-staters, it’s a high-value alternative to pricier peers like UNC or Michigan. Just don’t expect quiet weekends—this campus thrums with energy, whether it’s a Nobel laureate lecture or a tailgate at Myers Quad.
University of Georgia logo · sourceUniversity of Georgia Board of Visitors adds new members · sourceThe University of Georgia is ranked the #1 Best College Campus in Georgia for 2026 — and Top 10 in the nation! There's something special about life in Athens. According to a · sourceUGA's must-see campus upgrades: 2020 edition - UGA Alumni · source
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