University of Georgia: Graduation Rates, Rankings, and Student Success

The University of Georgia (UGA), a public institution founded in 1785, consistently ranks among the best public universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report's rankings reflect this, with UGA sharing the No. 19 spot in Top Public Schools. UGA and Georgia Tech remain the only two Georgia institutions in the top 20, making Georgia and California the only two states with multiple universities ranked in that tier. Among private and public universities, UGA placed No. 46 in National Universities in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges. This article explores UGA's graduation rates, academic rankings, student success initiatives, and the value of a UGA education.

Academic Rankings and Recognition

UGA's high standing in national rankings underscores its commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. U.S. News & World Report consistently recognizes UGA as a top public school. In addition to its overall ranking, several individual university programs have received high marks. The Terry College of Business rose to a record No. 19 for undergraduate business programs. The college's insurance program ranked No. 1 in the nation. Terry's real estate program was No. 4, its management and information systems program ranked No. 13, and the marketing program ranked No. 19. Earlier this year, Terry’s full-time MBA placed among the top 20 public programs nationally in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of best graduate schools. The program was rated by the Financial Times as No. 1 best value for the money worldwide. The Terry College’s full-time MBA also achieved a record high ranking of No. 23 overall and No. 13 among public institutions.

UGA ranked No. 18 among public universities nationwide according to Forbes and moved into the top 10 national public universities ranking by Niche. UGA was also ranked No. 2 in the nation for best student life and No. 10 for best college campuses according to Niche. Additional accolades from Princeton Review include No. 12 among best value public schools, No. 8 for best alumni networks and No. 33 among the nation’s most innovative schools.

Graduation Rates: A Comprehensive Overview

UGA boasts impressive graduation rates, reflecting its commitment to student success. The university's overall graduation rate of 84% is significantly higher than the national average. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a student is considered to have graduated on time if they complete their degree within six years, making the official UGA graduation rate 84%.

Four-Year, Six-Year, and Eight-Year Graduation Rates

Four-Year Graduation Rate: 67%
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 84%
Eight-Year Graduation Rate: 85%

These figures indicate that a large majority of students complete their degrees within six years, with a smaller percentage taking up to eight years.

Graduation Rates by Student Type

UGA's graduation rates vary depending on the type of student, such as first-time full-time students, first-time part-time students, and non-first-time students.

First-Time / Full-Time Students:
- Four-Year Graduation Rate: 62%
- Six-Year Graduation Rate: 85%
- Eight-Year Graduation Rate: 86%
First-Time / Part-Time Students:
- Six-Year Graduation Rate: 57%
- Eight-Year Graduation Rate: 64%
Non First-Time / Full-Time Students:
- Six-Year Graduation Rate: 84%
- Eight-Year Graduation Rate: 85%
Non First-Time / Part-Time Students:
- Six-Year Graduation Rate: 71%
- Eight-Year Graduation Rate: 71%

These statistics show that first-time, full-time students have a higher likelihood of graduating within four years compared to part-time students. Non-first-time students, which include transfer students and adults returning to school, also demonstrate strong graduation rates.

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

UGA's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its graduation rates across different racial and ethnic groups.

American Indian or Alaskan Native: 67%
Asian: 85%
Black / African-American: 83%
Hawaiian: 86%
Hispanic: 85%
International: 80%
Multi-Ethnic: 85%
Unknown: 88%
White: 88%

While there are slight variations, the graduation rates are generally high across all groups, indicating UGA's success in supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Factors Influencing Graduation Rates

Several factors contribute to UGA's high graduation rates, including student preparedness, academic support services, and institutional initiatives.

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Student Preparedness

This year’s incoming class is one of the most academically qualified in the university’s history, boasting an average high school GPA of 4.17, an average ACT score of 31 and an average SAT score of 1356. Nowhere is UGA’s commitment to excellence more evident than in the number of students who have received prestigious scholarships and fellowships. In the last decade, UGA has had four Rhodes Scholars, 64 Boren Fellow and Scholar offers, 11 Schwarzman Scholars, three Truman Scholars and 22 Goldwater Scholars.

First-Year and Transfer Student Support

Acclimating to college, especially at a large university, can be challenging for first-year and transfer students. UGA requires all incoming first-year students to enroll in a First-Year Odyssey seminar. These small classes, taught by tenure-track faculty, help students connect with each other and their instructors. Incoming freshmen choose from more than 400 one-credit-hour courses taught by tenure-track faculty members from nearly all of UGA’s 90 academic departments. Seminars typically meet for one hour once a week for 15 weeks, a time frame designed to fit easily into first-year students’ schedules. UGA is launching a similar seminar series for incoming transfer students. The Transfer Launch Seminar will allow undergraduate transfer students to build connections and explore academic topics during their first semester at UGA.

Innovative Programs and Resources

“Our primary goal as an institution is to improve student success, which includes not only helping students thrive during college but after graduation as well. The overall rise in graduation rates assures me that our innovative programs combined with student resources are working,” said Marisa Anne Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning. Transfer enrollment is up this year, with 1,848 new students this fall, an increase of 9.2% which comes close to UGA’s goal of enrolling two first-year students to one transfer student across spring, summer and fall semesters.

Dropout Rates and Non-Completion

While UGA boasts high graduation rates, it is also important to consider the students who do not complete their degrees. Approximately 1131 students, or 15% of the cohort, did not complete their degree within eight years.

Reasons for Non-Completion

13 are still enrolled.
734 transferred to another institution.
380 dropped out (UGA lost contact with these students).

This data indicates that the majority of students who do not complete their degree at UGA either transfer to another institution or drop out.

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The Value of a UGA Education

A UGA education provides students with a strong foundation for future success. This is reflected in the earnings of UGA graduates across various fields.

Median Salary After Graduation

Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $57,565. Graduates of University of Georgia experience a wide range of earnings depending on their field of study. Notably, degrees in engineering and computer-related disciplines tend to offer the highest financial returns. For example, graduates in Computer Science report an average annual earning of $70,908, while Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates earn approximately $67,861. Mechanical Engineering and Management Information Systems also offer strong outcomes with earnings near $64,849 and $67,138, respectively.

Business-related degrees also provide lucrative opportunities. Business/Commerce general majors earn around $61,103, whereas Accounting and Related Services graduates see earnings near $57,828. Those with finance-focused degrees such as Finance and Financial Management and International Business approach incomes in the mid-$50,000 range.

In the agricultural and environmental sciences, earnings vary more broadly. Agricultural Business and Management graduates earn about $43,001, and Forestry graduates bring in close to $42,980.

Humanities and social sciences generally report lower income levels but remain relevant for students interested in these disciplines. Degrees in Communication and Media Studies have an average salary of $38,528, while Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication reach $40,201.

Specific teaching and education-related programs produce median earnings in the mid to high $30,000s. Special Education and Teaching graduates earn $39,042, with other education tracks ranging from approximately $36,755 to $38,093.

Some fields of science and health show modest earnings below the university-wide highest thresholds. Biology majors earn roughly $21,614, while Chemistry graduates have average earnings near $32,284. Public Health graduates make about $31,569 on average.

These earning potentials highlight the value of a UGA education and the return on investment for students.

Research and Innovation

The university also continues to reach record highs in research. R&D expenditures soared 77% over the past decade, reaching $628.1 million for FY 2024, with continued growth projected. UGA once again ranked No. 1 in the nation for the number of commercial products to market based on its research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM.

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