Community News

The University of Georgia was recently ranked No. 9 on the latest list of Top Public Universities in the U.S. by the rankings platform Niche. The 2024 ranking, which was released last week, is based on Niche’s analysis of academic, admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares more than 500 public colleges and state universities. “The latest Niche ranking solidifying the University of Georgia’s position as a top national public university is yet another testament to the incredible work happening across UGA,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Our continued strategic investments in faculty hiring and enhancements of the living and learning experience for our undergraduate students are clearly making a very positive impact.” In addition to the overall university ranking, UGA received top-10 rankings in a number of other categories including student life, academics, value, diversity and athletics: Best Student Life in America – No. 3 Best Colleges for Business in America – No. 5 Best Colleges for Sports Management in America – No. 5 Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America – No. 6 Best Greek Life Colleges in America – No. 6 Best Colleges for Communications in America – No. 7 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America – No. 7 Best College Athletics in America – No. 9 UGA’s retention rate—the percentage of students returning for their second year of studies—is 94%. The vast majority of UGA students finish their degrees on time: 75% of students complete their degrees within four years, and 88% of students complete their degrees within six years. These completion rates far exceed those of UGA’s peer institutions. Of the students who graduated in the class of 2022, 96% percent were employed, attending graduate school or engaged in postgraduate internships within six months of graduation, according to career outcomes data released by the UGA Career Center. The university also recently welcomed its largest and one of its most academically qualified freshman classes. More than 6,200 new first-year students started classes this fall, selected from a record number of 43,500 applications. This class has an average high school GPA of 4.13, the seventh consecutive year that the average weighted high school GPA of the entering students exceeds 4.0. The class of 2027 also posts an average ACT score of 30 and an average SAT score of 1339. The top public institution on the Niche ranking this year was UCLA. The University of Florida is the only other SEC school in the top 10, which also includes the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Four Foundation Fellows are graduates of Clarke County schools

September 8, 2023

Growing up in Athens, many high school students feel like they know everything about the University of Georgia. They have taken annual field trips to sites across campus, attended summer camps, and have seen red and black throughout their lives. But… Full story

Group photo of Athens entrepreneurs that attended UGA's Innovation Bootcamp

Innovation Bootcamps help Athens entrepreneurs grow and thrive

July 21, 2023

Athens is a town known for arts, creativity and a vibrant collection of independent businesses. It is also home to the birthplace of public higher education in America: the University of Georgia.  Located at the intersection of downtown Athens and UGA’s… Full story

Athens area 40 Under 40 recipients

Local leaders selected for UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class

July 12, 2023

UGA 40 Under 40 celebrates young alumni leading the pack in their industries and communities. These talented young alumni embody the mission of the University of Georgia. They serve their communities, they innovate in their fields and they build a… Full story

Group picture of the 2023 Summer Media Academy at the University of Georgia

Summer academies introduce high school students to media careers, college life

July 10, 2023

Living in the dorm, eating in the dining hall and collaborating with other students to complete class projects are some of the activities that attendees of Grady College Summer Media Academy experienced this summer.   Four different one-week camps were offered: broadcast… Full story

Local Leaders Selected for UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class

July 26, 2021

Miller, Simmons, and Thoms named to the prestigious 2021 Class of 40 Under 40 By: Reaganne Coile Each year, the UGA Alumni Association recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 for their personal, professional and philanthropic achievements through the… Full story

Innovation District Draws Tech Startup to Athens

June 8, 2021

Metropolis uses advanced technology to streamline health care recruiting A Dallas, Texas-area health care startup is expanding to Athens, Georgia, to establish its product development headquarters in the University of Georgia’s growing Innovation District. Metropolis, an AMP Health Inc. company, incubated… Full story

Student’s Journey to Medicine Begins with Georgia Possible

May 20, 2021

UGA program helps Clarke County students develop leadership skills, career interests by Hayley Major Since she was 2 years old, Tiffani Richardson has had her sights set on becoming a medical professional. Whether an obstetrician, a registered nurse or what her… Full story

UGA Office of Sustainability Celebrates Earth Day 2021

April 21, 2021

A MORE SECURE FUTURE FOR ALL Earth Day is an important opportunity to celebrate and strengthen UGA’s commitment to research, teaching, and service focused on healthier people, stronger communities, and a more secure future. We all depend on a healthy… Full story

Kathy Hoard Honored for Over 4 Decades of Community Service With Order of Omega Award

April 19, 2021

  Hoard was honored at a ceremony on April 14, 2021 for her advocacy of the Greek community at UGA By: Reaganne Coile Anyone who has met Kathy Hoard knows she adores her community and can brighten any room. Many… Full story

AU/UGA Medical Students to Help Deliver Vaccines

February 2, 2021

by Lindsey Derrick Medical Partnership mobile clinic to turn efforts to vaccinating those in need Medical students at the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership will begin helping administer the COVID-19 vaccine this week through an arrangement with the Clarke County Board… Full story