University of Georgia admits approximately 37.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places University of Georgia in the Selective tier for admission rates, falling between the 25-50% range that characterizes moderately competitive institutions. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights how University of Georgia maintains significantly more selective standards than typical large public universities. This 40.9 percentage point difference from peer institutions reflects the university's position as a flagship institution with competitive applicant demand. Students should expect a selective admission environment where academic credentials play an important role in the evaluation process. For prospective applicants, this selectivity level means University of Georgia should be treated as a competitive option on college lists, particularly for out-of-state students. Students should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates to ensure admission options. The combination of public university accessibility and selective admission standards creates an environment where qualified students face moderate competition but reasonable admission prospects compared to highly selective private institutions.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University of Georgia typically demonstrate strong academic preparation across standardized testing metrics. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1160 at the 25th percentile to 1390 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 1301. The SAT Math range spans 570 to 700, while SAT Verbal scores range from 590 to 690, indicating balanced strength across both testing areas. ACT scores range from 25 at the 25th percentile to 32 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 31. University of Georgia's SAT midpoint of 1301 exceeds the peer median of 1198 by 103 points, demonstrating the institution's ability to attract academically strong students within the public university sector. These ranges indicate that most admitted students score between 1160 and 1390 on the SAT, representing strong academic preparation but not the extreme selectivity of elite private institutions. Students scoring below 1160 should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. The 230-point range between the 25th and 75th percentiles suggests University of Georgia evaluates applications holistically rather than relying solely on test score cutoffs. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list and expect that scores within the middle 50% range indicate competitive positioning for admission consideration.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Georgia enrolls a student body that reflects selective admission standards while maintaining some economic diversity. The institution serves 17.2% Pell-eligible students, indicating enrollment of students from lower-income families, though this share falls below typical public university levels. First-generation college students comprise 18.2% of enrollment, representing students whose parents did not complete four-year degrees. Transfer students account for 23.6% of enrollment, indicating significant pathways for students beginning at community colleges or other institutions. This composition suggests University of Georgia attracts primarily traditional college-bound students from middle and upper-middle-class backgrounds, while also serving meaningful populations of first-generation and transfer students. The Pell share of 17.2% positions University of Georgia below the national average for public institutions, reflecting the selective admission standards and the economic demographics of students who meet those standards. Students from lower-income backgrounds should note that approximately 1 in 6 enrolled students receive Pell grants, indicating their representation within the student body. Transfer applicants should recognize the substantial 23.6% transfer enrollment as evidence of viable pathways into University of Georgia through alternative routes beyond traditional freshman admission.
Given University of Georgia's 37% acceptance rate and selective admission standards, most applicants face competitive odds. The alternatives below provide comparable career outcomes with different admission profiles, geographic options, or cost structures.
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University of Georgia demonstrates strong student support systems through retention and completion outcomes that exceed peer institutions significantly. 94.5% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating effective first-year student support and academic preparation. The six-year graduation rate reaches 87.2%, substantially higher than the peer median of 65.9%, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 75.1%, creating a 12.1 percentage point gap compared to the overall graduation rate. While this gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, the absolute Pell completion rate of 75.1% still exceeds the peer median for overall completion by nearly 10 percentage points. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with nearly 9 in 10 students completing their degrees within six years. The retention and completion patterns suggest University of Georgia creates an academic environment where students who meet admission standards typically succeed academically. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they would experience, while lower-income students should be aware of the graduation gap but also recognize that three-quarters of Pell recipients complete their degrees successfully.
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