“America's first state-chartered university, where a top-20 public education meets the unmatched energy of Athens — a legendary college town with world-class academics, deep traditions, and one of the best game-day atmospheres in the country.”
Founded in 1785 as the nation's first state-chartered university, the University of Georgia has grown into one of the most respected public research universities in the country. Located in Athens — a vibrant college town about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta — UGA combines the depth of an R1 research institution with the warmth and spirit of a tight-knit campus community. With 18 schools and colleges offering more than 170 undergraduate majors and over 300 graduate and professional programs, UGA provides an academic breadth that few publics can match. The Terry College of Business is a national powerhouse (its risk management and insurance program is ranked #1 in the nation), while the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Grady College of Journalism, and College of Veterinary Medicine are all nationally ranked. What makes UGA special is the intersection of academic rigor and campus culture. Athens is not just a college town — it's a cultural destination, famous for its live music scene (R.E.M. and the B-52's got their start here), independent restaurants, and walkable downtown that sits just beyond the iconic Arch at the university's entrance. Game days at Sanford Stadium are an experience unto themselves, with over 92,000 fans gathering for one of the loudest atmospheres in college football. Beyond football, UGA is one of the top three producers of Rhodes Scholars among public universities in the last 30 years, and has been named a top producer of Fulbright student recipients six times in the last 12 years. With over 700 student organizations, a thriving Greek life community, strong undergraduate research programs, and a 96% career placement rate, UGA offers the resources and opportunities of a flagship research university with a campus culture that feels deeply personal. The university's rise to #19 among public universities (US News 2026) reflects a decade of sustained investment in faculty, facilities, and student support.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
US News 2026
QS World University Rankings
QS 2026
Forbes America's Top Colleges
Forbes 2025
Risk Management & Insurance
US News 2026
Real Estate
US News 2026
Veterinary Medicine
US News 2026
Public Affairs
US News 2026
Management Information Systems
US News 2026
Accounting
US News 2026
Undergraduate Business
US News 2026
Test Required — All applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding. Decisions released by early December for Georgia residents, mid-December for non-residents.
Regular Decision
Decisions released in mid-March. Students have until May 1 to commit.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$11,450
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$31,688
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
One of the premier public business schools in the Southeast. Home to the #1-ranked risk management and insurance program in the nation, with additional top-20 rankings in real estate, MIS, and accounting. Strong ties to Atlanta's corporate and financial sectors.
A cornerstone of UGA's land-grant mission, with nationally recognized research in food science, poultry science, and environmental ecology. Operates multiple research stations across Georgia.
The largest college at UGA, spanning humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. Houses the Odum School of Ecology — the world's first dedicated ecology department — and strong programs in biological sciences and psychology.
One of the most respected journalism schools in the Southeast, with a strong alumni network in media, public relations, and digital content. Named for Henry W. Grady, the renowned journalist and orator.
Ranked #7 nationally, UGA's vet school is one of the top programs in the country with a large teaching hospital, extensive research in infectious disease and wildlife health, and strong clinical training.
4 years
Ranked #1 in the nation by US News. The program benefits from deep industry partnerships with major insurance and reinsurance firms, many headquartered or with significant operations in the Southeast. Graduates are highly recruited with strong starting salaries.
4 years
One of the top veterinary programs in the US (#7 nationally). The Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides extensive hands-on clinical training, and research centers focus on infectious disease, wildlife health, and food animal medicine.
4 years
Grady College is a top-tier journalism school with a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Students produce content for Grady Newsource, the student-run multimedia news outlet, and benefit from proximity to Atlanta's media industry.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $49,708
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
