University of Georgia
The University of Georgia, founded in 1785 as America's first state-chartered university, is the flagship public research institution in Athens — a quintessential college town in the foothills of the Appalachians. UGA is best known for its Terry College of Business and Grady College of Journalism, a powerhouse SEC athletics tradition, and the state's HOPE Scholarship, which keeps it an exceptional value for Georgia residents. Admission has grown competitive: about 34% of applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA near 4.17 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1250–1420. Notably, UGA requires SAT or ACT scores — it is not test-optional. The figures below are drawn directly from UGA's official Common Data Set.
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UGA admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Action
UGA offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
UGA requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How UGA weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UGA's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $20,844 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UGA admissions
Is it hard to get into the University of Georgia?＋
UGA is selective but not a reach for strong students: it admitted about 34.3% of applicants in the most recent cycle, from a pool of roughly 47,464 applications that yielded around 6,195 enrolled first-years. Admission has grown more competitive over time, and the rigor of your high school course load is weighed as a very important factor alongside grades.
What are my chances of getting into UGA from out of state?＋
Out-of-state applicants are admitted at a lower rate than Georgia residents: UGA admitted about 31.1% of out-of-state applicants (6,878 admitted of 22,113) versus 47.0% of in-state applicants (8,946 of 19,041) in the Fall 2024 cycle; international applicants were admitted at roughly 20.9%. That said, UGA formally lists state residency and geographical residence as factors it does not consider in its holistic review, so your file is evaluated on academic and personal merits. Strong course rigor and GPA remain the most important factors regardless of where you live.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Georgia?＋
Admitted first-years at UGA carry an average high school GPA of about 4.17 on a weighted scale, meaning most enrolling students earned mostly A's in a demanding course load. There is no published hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your high school record are both rated very important in UGA's admissions review.
Is a 1400 SAT good enough for UGA?＋
A 1400 is competitive at UGA, landing near the top of the middle-50% range of enrolled first-years, who scored between 1250 and 1420 on the SAT (27–33 on the ACT). About 32% of enrolled students scored 1400 or above, so a 1400 puts you in strong position alongside a high GPA and rigorous coursework.
Does the University of Georgia require the SAT or ACT?＋
Yes. UGA requires an SAT or ACT score for first-year admission — it is not test-optional. Scores are rated an important factor, just below GPA and course rigor, and the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1250–1420 on the SAT or 27–33 on the ACT.
How much does UGA cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $11,492 for Georgia residents and $32,336 for out-of-state students, a gap that makes UGA an exceptional value for in-state families. About 28% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $17,230, and UGA meets roughly 78% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at the University of Georgia?＋
Business and marketing is by far the most popular area at about 30% of bachelor's degrees, anchored by UGA's Terry College of Business. The sciences (16%), social sciences (14%), and communication (7%) round out the most-awarded fields.
Does the application essay matter at UGA?＋
It helps, but it is not decisive: UGA rates the application essay as a factor it considers, below academic GPA, course rigor, and test scores in its holistic review. With admission this competitive, a specific, well-revised essay is a low-cost way to add context to an already strong academic file.
Source: University of Georgia Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-06. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UGA. Banner photo by Michael Rivera, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).