The University System of Georgia recently released fall 2023 enrollment data for Georgia's public colleges and universities which shows a slight increase at the University of North Georgia.
According to the report, enrollment at UNG increased by 0.2% when compared to fall 2022. Specifically, the number of students enrolled at the school in fall 2023 was 18,086, while it was 18,046 the year prior.
The slight increase came in the wake of two years of enrollment decreases following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are grateful to be able to change the trajectory of more students' lives this fall. A recent study about Georgia colleges and universities indicates that graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree will earn over $1 million more throughout their lives than those without a college degree," UNG President Michael Shannon said. "Our region, our state and America need us to deliver like never before, and we are ready to meet this challenge and prepare our students to join the workforce."
U.S. News and World Report recently recognized UNG as a "Best Value College" and on its "Least Debt Load" list, which measures schools where students graduated carrying the lightest debt loads among regional universities in the south.
"As our nation and communities face economic uncertainties, it is important for high school students and their families to know that earning a college degree leads to better economic and employment outcomes," Dr. Brett Morris, associate vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management, said.
UNG saw an increase in online enrollment to 1,304 students, up from 1,025 a year prior. This follows the university's shift of its master's and bachelor's human services delivery and administration degrees and its sociology bachelor's degree, two business bachelor's degrees and two communication bachelor's degrees fully online in fall 2023.
The number of graduate students at UNG also increased from 790 in the fall of 2022 up to 832 in fall 2023.
UNG saw eight consecutive years of growth from 2013 to 2020 until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most other institutions across the state also saw enrollment increases in fall 2023. The Georgia Institute of Technology experienced a 5.9% jump, while enrollment at the University of Georgia increased by 2.5%. Additionally, Georgia Gwinnett College experienced substantial growth with an 8.1% increase in enrollment.
Overall, the number of students at University System of Georgia institutions increased by 9,993 compared to fall 2022.
"Our institutions prepare Georgians to start businesses, launch successful careers, bring creative ideas to life and otherwise pursue their dreams of prosperity and purpose," USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. "This is happening as we focus on aligning degrees to the state's workforce needs, from nursing and teaching to logistics and cybersecurity. Our campuses make a transformational difference in students' lives, and I appreciate the work being done by our presidents, faculty and staff across the system to help more students than ever succeed."
