The University of Georgia College Portrait
The University of GeorgiaTerrell Hall Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-8776
The University of Georgia
Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is America’s first chartered state university and a leading public research institution. Combining rich history, a stunning campus, state-of-the-art technology, superb faculty and myriad social and recreational activities, UGA opens the door to a world of learning opportunities through stimulating classes and labs using the latest in teaching technology: hands-on undergraduate research guided by world-class scholars, study abroad programs around the world, volunteer and service activities, and participation in more than 600 clubs and organizations. Whether probing the treasures of Georgia’s finest library, studying in the 24-hour student learning center or working out in one of the country’s largest student fitness centers, students at UGA broaden their minds, sharpen their focus and prepare for futures of great potential.
Living in the Community
The Division of Student Affairs enhances the learning environment for students by stimulating the learning process, integrating in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery, and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural, and emotional development. To facilitate learning for UGA students, we identified areas to promote student growth and development, which are integrated throughout the Division. Students who engage in our programs and services experience structured curricula that advance their knowledge in the key areas of: Leadership, Intercultural Competence, Cognitive Development, Interpersonal Skills, Self-Esteem, Collaboration, Healthy Behavior and Social Responsibility. UGA also offers a highly-regarded Honors Program and ample opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in research projects with premier faculty. Students can pursue educational experiences around the world by participating in one of our many study abroad and exchange programs.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2011?
| Total Students | 34,816 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 26,373 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 15,205 | 58% |
| Men | 11,168 | 42% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 42 | <1% |
| Asian | 2,044 | 8% |
| African American / Black | 1,932 | 7% |
| Hispanic | 1,126 | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 17 | <1% |
| White | 19,933 | 76% |
| Two or More Races | 519 | 2% |
| International | 249 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 511 | 2% |
| Where do UGA undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Georgia | 90% |
| Other US States & Territories | 9% |
| Other Countries | 1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are UGA undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 21 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 4% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2011)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 25 - 30 | |
| Math | 25 - 29 | 560 - 660 |
| English | 25 - 31 | |
| Critical Reading | 560 - 650 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 89% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 98% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 73% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.63 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 99% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2011-12 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $21,250.00
The cost to attend The University of Georgia varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 36% of 2011-12 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $8,149.00. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 28% of 2011-12 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,255.00. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
UGA Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 18 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 69% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 89% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 1,796 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 36% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 20% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 94% |
Campus-based Housing
98% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
30% of all undergraduates live on campus
Campus Safety
To meet the ever-growing needs of a large, residential campus, the UGA Police Department operates around the clock serving more than 34,500 students, 10,000 employees and hundreds of daily visitors to the campus. In addition, the department deals with safety challenges brought on by campus construction, traffic and parking issues and the heightened necessity of greater campus security. These challenges are met with dedication to service and a forward-thinking approach to ensuring safety and security. The department supports UGA Alert, an all-campus emergency notification system.
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (very high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Comprehensive doctoral with medical/veterinary
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at UGA
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 96.0% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 57.0% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 41.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 85.0% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 16.0% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 48.0% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 76.0% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 24.0% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 91.0% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 96.0% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 74.0% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 59.0% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 95.0% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 53.0% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 76.0% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95.0% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 68.0% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 66.0% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 88.0% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 58.0% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 90.0% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 91.0% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 85.0% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at The University of Georgia in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 6,845 |
| Master's | 1,868 |
| Doctoral | 889 |
| Total | 9,602 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2010-11 | |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 6% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 5% |
| Marketing | 4% |
| Biology, General | 4% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 4% |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 97% four-year success and progress rate means that 97% of students starting in Fall 2005 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2005 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 4,654 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 929 Full-Time Transfer Students
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2010 that returned for their second year: 94%
Student Learning at The University of Georgia
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
The purpose of assessing student learning outcomes at the University of Georgia is to provide a strong base of evidence to inform the continuous improvement of our academic programs. Each undergraduate major has defined learning outcomes and established an ongoing process to assess those outcomes and use the results to improve the program. Departments report on these activities on a 3-year cycle, and the reports are evaluated by a review team of faculty during the course of a 7-year program review of the department and its programs. For general education, the University has defined outcomes for core curriculum areas as well as defined outcomes for general education abilities that are embedded throughout the four-year curriculum. Like most large institutions, UGA uses a multi-pronged approach to assess general education learning, including focused assessment projects, surveys of undergraduate students, program-level measures, capstone projects, and standardized assessment instruments.
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2010 - 11 Results from the Collegiate Learning Assessment
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication using a performance task and an analytic writing task. The scores from the tasks are reported separately below.
Performance Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1241
Senior Score: 1329
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EAA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1238
Senior Score: 1255
Analytic Writing Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the analytic writing task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1212
Senior Score: 1321
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EAA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1238
Senior Score: 1255