University of Georgia: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Athens, Georgia · Public · Selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
34%
47,464 applicants
Median SAT
1330
Mid 50: 1250–1420
In-state tuition
$11,450
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$13,936
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Georgia is a public university in Athens, Georgia that admits about 34% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $13,936 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 89% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Georgia admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 34%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1330 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,936 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

Updated September 2026

What parents should know about University of Georgia right now

The University of Georgia set an application record for the Class of 2029, drawing nearly 48,000 first-year applications, up almost 5,000 in a single year, and admitting more than 15,800 students for an overall rate of about 33 percent. The admitted profile is high for a public flagship: a middle 50 percent GPA of 4.08 to 4.35, SAT of 1300 to 1470, ACT of 30 to 34, and 8 to 14 Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual-enrollment courses. Both entry points tightened as the pool grew, with Early Action admitting about 31.6 percent and Regular Decision about 36 percent. The class is planned at roughly 80 percent in-state and 20 percent out-of-state, and admitted Georgia students came from 154 of the state's 159 counties, so an out-of-state applicant is competing for a much smaller share of the class than the headline rate implies. For Georgia families the decision is usually bound up with the HOPE and Zell Miller programmes, whose GPA thresholds are set independently of admission, which is why UGA's applicant pool keeps growing faster than its class size.

What GPA does my child need for University of Georgia?

87% of enrolled students at University of Georgia had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.17, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
87.1%
3.75–3.99
11.3%
3.50–3.74
0.8%
3.25–3.49
0.3%
3.00–3.24
0.2%
2.50–2.99
0.2%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Georgia.

What does University of Georgia weight in admissions?

University of Georgia reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important1 factor
  • Standardized test scores

SAT and ACT scores University of Georgia typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1250
50th percentile1330
75th percentile1420
% submitting SAT70.31%
ACT Composite
25th percentile27
50th percentile31
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT43.91%
Current testing policy
  • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
  • • Policy detail: Required

How much does University of Georgia actually cost?

Published tuition is $11,450 for in-state students and $31,688 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,672 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,936 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$10,034
Out-of-state tuition$30,878
Room and board$12,084
Average net price (after aid)$13,936
Application fee$70

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Georgia

Regular admission
Regular deadlineJanuary 1
Notification date4/1 (Reg) & 12/1 (Early)
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineOctober 15

Will my child graduate from University of Georgia?

These predict outcomes at University of Georgia better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
93.6%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
89.08%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Georgia

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Georgia, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, University of Georgia confers roughly 3,360 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $64,387 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Biology, General608$64,387
Psychology, General581$58,364
Finance and Financial Management Services544$95,338
Marketing375$82,677
Management Information Systems and Services358$111,592
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication310$73,502
Computer Science292$100,784
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness292$66,397
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Georgia safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Georgia disclosed 71 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 7 violent offenses and 23 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
71
2.2 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
7
0.22 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
23
0.72 per 1,000
Burglary
19
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 32,137 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of Georgia?

About 66% of undergraduates at University of Georgia live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 37% of men join a fraternity and 25% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
66%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
37%
of men
In sororities
25%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Georgia.

Other colleges in Georgia parents ask about

Next steps for University of Georgia

Common questions parents ask about University of Georgia

What GPA do I need for University of Georgia?

87% of enrolled students at University of Georgia had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.17, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Georgia typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–34.

How much does University of Georgia actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Georgia after grants and scholarships is $13,936 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,450 and $31,688 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Georgia realistic for my child?

University of Georgia admits 34% of applicants, so 630–750 SAT Math is target range and below 630 is a reach. Then check the $13,936 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Georgia?

University of Georgia accepts about 34% of applicants out of roughly 47,464 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is University of Georgia test-optional?

No. University of Georgia requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.

What is the graduation rate at University of Georgia?

About 89% of students at University of Georgia graduate within six years. 94% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Georgia look for in applicants?

University of Georgia rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is University of Georgia a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia.

What are the most popular majors at University of Georgia?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Georgia by annual graduates are Biology, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 3,360 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Georgia safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Georgia reported 71 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at University of Georgia?

At University of Georgia, 66% of undergraduates live on campus, 37% of men are in fraternities, 25% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Georgia, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers