By Amanda Respess 

A years-long period of unprecedented growth at Georgia College & State University continued this fall, as the university received its highest number of first-year student applications ever recorded during its fall “early action” period, with over 5,000. That figure marks a 16% increase over last year’s number of applications received, and an 83% increase over the number recorded in 2022. 

As the university has seen student demand nearly double over the past three years, new highs in total enrollment have also been recorded. This fall, GCSU achieved its highest enrollment in its 136-year history with 7,304 students enrolled for the 2025 academic year — an achievement GCSU President Cathy Cox credits to the university’s focus on experience-based learning. 

“I consistently hear from students who have discovered new passions and developed new skills thanks to GCSU’s emphasis on learning by doing,” Cox said. “These students were encouraged by highly engaged faculty and staff mentors who know them on a personal level, which speaks to the value of a smaller university environment. It’s different here at Georgia College — intentionally so.” 

This hands-on learning approach contributed to GCSU ranking among the Top 5 best public colleges and universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report this year — an institutional first. The university was also named No. 5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching among all public or private schools in the region. 

The model has proven career benefits, too. 

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, employers are up to 71% more likely to hire graduates who have participated in experience-based learning activities, such as undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, leadership programs and community-engaged learning. At GCSU, every student is guaranteed meaningful access to transformative experiences like these — starting in Year One. 

“Georgia College students are encouraged to explore their passions, even outside of their chosen majors,” Cox added. “Engaging in these activities early in a student’s academic career helps build a variety of life and workforce-ready skillsets, giving students a profound advantage over their peers at universities far larger than GCSU.” 

Small class sizes, backed by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensure that students receive these opportunities. In fact, about 50% of classes at GCSU have fewer than 20 students, and three out of every four classes have fewer than 30 students. 

Reinforcing its commitment to small classes, GCSU also hired 70 new faculty members before the fall semester began. 

“Interest in GCSU is at an all-time high,” said Joel Robinson, senior associate vice president of Enrollment Management. “And it isn’t just the volume of applications, but also the caliber of the students who apply.” 

Applications to Georgia College come from high-achieving students. Admitted students this admissions cycle boast an average weighted GPA of 3.91, an average 1223 SAT score and an average 27 ACT score. 

“GCSU is a first-choice school for these students and that speaks to the appeal of what we have to offer,” Robinson added. 

The University System of Georgia also reported system-wide growth this month, with a 4.8% rise in the number of degree-seekers enrolled in Georgia. 

“Across the state, we’re not just enrolling students but we’re preparing them for the real-world demands of a fast-changing workforce,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Coupled with a record number of degrees awarded this past year, we’re contributing to the virtuous cycle of a more educated workforce and more prosperous Georgia.” 

GCSU’s record-setting student body includes 6,250 undergraduates and 1,054 graduate students. 

It’s Different Here 

Georgia College’s recent success is positively impacting the state’s economy, as well. 

Earlier this year, the university reported $333 million in total economic impact generated in 2024 throughout Middle Georgia — accounting for an 8.1%, or $25 million, increase over its reported impact in 2023. 

As one of the region’s top employers, the institution also supported 3,102 jobs last year, and its bachelor’s degrees were shown to increase graduates’ work-life earnings in Georgia by 82%, or by $1.4 million over the earnings of non-bachelor’s degree earners. 

Those figures contributed to the university earning high marks for affordability by U.S. News & World Report, as well, ranking as the No. 2 Best Value School in the state among public regional institutions. 

To serve its growing student body, the university is also currently working on a host of campus-improvement projects. Major renovations to an academic building (Herty Hall); a newly constructed music rehearsal hall; significant upgrades to the baseball stadium; a new esports lab; improved intramural fields; expanded parking at Centennial Center; and site improvements at Andalusia, the National Historic Landmark preserving the former home of literary icon and GCSU alumna Flannery O’Connor, all will be unveiled this fall or are currently underway.

Mike Cavaliere contributed to this report.

Header Image: First-year student applications received during the fall “early action” period at GCSU have nearly doubled since 2022. (Photos by Anna Gay Leavitt, video by Chris Brown.)