Georgia State University

Georgia State is moderately selective, admitting about 55.4% of its roughly 33,000 applicants in the most recent cycle. Academic GPA, the rigor of your course load, and test scores are all weighed as very important factors, so a solid record in a college-prep curriculum is the main thing that matters for admission.

Enrolled first-years averaged about a 3.6 high school GPA, and academic GPA is rated a very important factor in admission. Georgia State requires a college-preparatory curriculum, and the University System of Georgia uses a Freshman Index combining your GPA and test scores, so strong grades in core academic courses are the foundation of a competitive application.

Out-of-state applicants face longer odds than Georgia residents. In Fall 2024, Georgia State admitted about 67% of in-state applicants but roughly 37% of out-of-state applicants. Only about 6% of undergraduates come from outside Georgia, so the university draws overwhelmingly from in-state, though out-of-state students who clear the academic bar are still admitted at a meaningful rate.

Yes, a 1200 is competitive at Georgia State. It sits at the 75th percentile of enrolled first-years, whose middle 50% scored 980–1200 on the SAT and 19–26 on the ACT. A score in that range or above puts you at or near the top of a typical admitted student's profile.

For its recent classes Georgia State was test-optional for first-year applicants with a 3.4 or higher GPA, and the middle 50% of enrolled students who submitted scores landed at 980–1200 on the SAT and 19–26 on the ACT. The university has announced that applicants to the Atlanta campus for Fall 2026 and later must submit SAT or ACT scores, so check the current policy on the official admissions site before you apply.

Annual tuition and required fees are about $10,500 for Georgia residents and $30,720 for out-of-state students, among the more affordable options of any major public research university. About 53% of full-time first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average aid package near $14,196.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 19% of bachelor's degrees, followed by computer and information sciences at roughly 13% and psychology at about 9%. The arts, life sciences, social sciences, and health professions round out the most-awarded programs across the university.

The application essay is rated a considered factor at Georgia State, weighed alongside grades and test scores rather than above them. Because admission turns heavily on your GPA, course rigor, and scores, a clear, specific essay is a chance to add context to your record and show who you are beyond the numbers.