University System of Georgia sets record for degrees awarded

ATLANTA – The University System of Georgia awarded a record 76,571 degrees during the last fiscal year, up 1.8% over Fiscal 2023.

The number of degrees the system’s 26 institutions have awarded has risen by 39.6% since 2011, when the USG joined Complete College America, a program that prioritizes degree completion. During that same period, enrollment increased by 8.3%, meaning the rate of awarding degrees has far surpassed enrollment growth.

“USG and our 26 public colleges and universities take pride in making sure students complete their degrees, and today you’re seeing the impact of that work in communities across Georgia,” system Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “We’re building momentum toward being the best public university system in the nation and continuing to help increase the state’s economic development and families’ long-term prosperity.”

The university system awarded 51,543 undergraduate degrees in Fiscal 2024, a 1.6% increase over the previous fiscal year. Another 25,028 graduate and professional degrees awarded in the last fiscal year was up 2.1% over Fiscal 2023.

Besides Complete College America, the university system more recently has undertaken other initiatives aimed at promoting higher education and degree completion. For example, Georgia Degrees Pay, a website launched in 2022, provides data on student success, college costs, affordability, and earning potential.

According to a recent study, USG graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree will earn more than $1.4 million more during their lifetimes than they would have without their college degree. Graduate and professional degrees add to those average career earnings.