Georgia State University
A downtown Atlanta R1 university known nationally for raising graduation rates for students from every background.
- Acceptance rate
- 57%
- First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 34,859
- 26,784 undergraduates
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Tuition
- $33,090
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1913
About Georgia State
Georgia State University began in 1913 as an evening school of commerce run by Georgia Tech and grew into one of the largest universities in the Southeast. Today it is an R1 public research university in the University System of Georgia, with its main campus in downtown Atlanta and five Perimeter College locations around the metro area that offer associate degrees. The university reports more than 53,000 students from 155 countries and all 50 states when Perimeter College is included; the downtown bachelor's-granting institution alone enrolled 34,859 in fall 2025.
Georgia State is best known for student success: it says it graduates students from all backgrounds at equal rates, confers more than 10,000 degrees a year and awards more bachelor's degrees to African American students than any other traditional nonprofit university. U.S. News ranks it No. 1 among public universities for undergraduate teaching and No. 3 most innovative public institution in its 2027 edition. Nearly 300 degree programs are spread across 12 colleges, schools and institutes, including the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, the College of Law and an Honors College.
Admission to the Atlanta Campus is formula-based: the University System of Georgia's Freshman Index combines your core-course GPA with SAT or ACT scores, which are required again from fall 2026. It admitted about 57% of first-year applicants for fall 2025. Georgia State suits students who want a big, diverse city university with strong support systems and direct access to Atlanta's employers.
Veritas valet et vincet
“Truth shall overcome” — university motto
Why students choose Georgia State
In U.S. News 2027, Georgia State is No. 5 nationally (and, by its own count, No. 1 among public universities) for undergraduate teaching, No. 8 for first-year experiences and tied No. 24 for learning communities.
Out-of-state and international first-years with at least a 3.6 college-prep GPA can be considered for a waiver of the full out-of-state portion of tuition for four years, with no separate application.
The campus sits in downtown Atlanta, home to 14 Fortune 500 headquarters, and the university says nearly 80% of its alumni live and work in the city.
Distinctive options include a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship, an Honors College that reviews every admitted first-year automatically, and the Stamps and Presidential scholarships.
Admissions
First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
24,217 admitted from 42,323 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
4,470 first-years enrolled in fall 2025. Admission to the Atlanta Campus is largely formula-based: the University System of Georgia Freshman Index (FI) combines your GPA in required high school curriculum courses with SAT or ACT scores. Minimums are a 2.75 core GPA, SAT 480 Reading and Writing and 440 Math (or ACT 17 English or Reading and 17 Math) and an FI of 2500; meeting them does not guarantee admission. Perimeter College offers a separate associate-degree route.
Typical entry requirements
| Required High School Curriculum (Georgia Board of Regents) | 4 units English, 4 math (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and a higher-level math), 4 science (including a life and a physical science with labs), 3 social science and 2 units of the same foreign language; minimum 2.75 GPA in these courses |
|---|---|
| International secondary education | Official transcripts for at least three recent years of secondary school, sent directly by the school or examination board; Georgia State evaluates international first-year credentials in-house, and SAT or ACT scores are required for the Atlanta Campus |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 69 Minimums: TOEFL iBT 4 on the new scale for tests taken after January 2026 (69 for earlier tests), IELTS 6, PTE 53, SAT Reading 480, ACT English 17, Cambridge 169 or MET 55. F-1 applicants who meet every other requirement with TOEFL iBT 54-69 or IELTS 4.5-5.9 can receive conditional admission through the Intensive English Program. |
Deadlines
- Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 40 daysNovember 15, 2026
Non-binding. Also the priority deadline for the Honors College, Centennial Merit Scholarships and the Stamps and Presidential scholarships, whose decisions are released December 15.
- International first-year (Atlanta Campus) Non-binding In ~6 monthsApril 1, 2027
Regular international first-year deadline for the Atlanta Campus; June 1 for Perimeter College. Page lists the deadline without a year.
- Regular Decision (final application deadline) Non-binding In ~7 monthsMay 1, 2027
Official transcripts and test scores due by June 1, 2027 for applicants not yet admitted. FAFSA priority deadline April 1, 2027.
Early Action and final deadlines are from Georgia State's 2026-27 First-Year Admission Timeline for fall 2027 entry, which opened applications on August 14, 2026. The international April 1 deadline is from the international first-year page, which gives dates without a year; deadlines are subject to change.
How to apply
Common App; $60 application fee (fee waivers from ACT, College Board or NACAC accepted, and no fee during November's Apply to College Month); high school transcript sent by your counselor; required SAT or ACT scores for the Atlanta Campus; optional 250-650 word essay; up to three optional recommendations (one counselor, two teachers). International applicants add English proficiency evidence and official transcripts for in-house evaluation.
What admissions looks for
- A solid GPA in the Required High School Curriculum core courses, which Georgia State recalculates itself.
- SAT or ACT scores that, combined with your core GPA, produce a Freshman Index of at least 2500.
- Rigor of your high school record, which the CDS rates very important alongside GPA and test scores.
- For merit scholarships, rigor (AP, IB, honors and dual enrollment), the Common App essay and recommendation letters are also used.
Tips for applying to Georgia State
- 1 Apply Early Action by November 15, 2026: it is the priority deadline for the Honors College and for the Stamps, Presidential and Centennial Merit scholarships.
- 2 Work out your Freshman Index before applying (SAT FI = 500 x core GPA + 1.06 x (Reading and Writing + Math) - 74) or use the Panther Predictor tool.
- 3 Write the optional essay and invite recommenders anyway: merit scholarship reviews now use both.
- 4 Out-of-state and international applicants with a 3.6+ college-prep GPA should apply by November 15 for priority consideration for the out-of-state tuition waiver.
- 5 Apply in November if you can: Georgia State waives the application fee during Apply to College Month.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Georgia State University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Georgia residents can use the state's HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships, and Georgia State offers need-based aid through the FAFSA (priority deadline April 1) plus merit awards from $500 to $3,000 a year with no separate application. The competitive Stamps and Presidential scholarships require an application by November 15. Out-of-state and international first-years with at least a 3.6 college-prep GPA can receive a waiver of 100% of the out-of-state portion of tuition, renewable for four years.
- $34,550 (Georgia resident) to $57,050 (out-of-country)
- 2026-27 cost of attendance, bachelor's, on campus
- 48.5%
- Average percentage of need met, first-year need-based aid recipients (CDS 2025-26)
- $16,326
- Average financial aid package, first-years awarded aid (CDS 2025-26)
- 455 students, averaging $3,209
- Nonresident undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)
- 100% of the out-of-state portion of tuition, for 4 years
- Out-of-state tuition waiver (first-years with 3.6+ GPA)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Risk Management and Insurance (J. Mack Robinson College of Business)
Ranked No. 4 in the nation among undergraduate programs by U.S. News (Best Colleges 2027).
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Ranked No. 14 nationally among public affairs graduate schools (U.S. News Best Grad Schools 2026-27).
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship
Georgia State says it is one of few universities to offer a dedicated Bachelor of Entrepreneurship degree.
Honors College
Small classes, priority registration, honors housing in University Commons and research assistantships; admitted first-years are reviewed automatically.
Health law (College of Law)
Ranked No. 2 in the country by U.S. News (Best Grad Schools 2026-27), a route for undergraduates aiming at law.
Research
- Carnegie R1 for 30 years, with research spending of $241.1 million, up 197% since 2010 (HERD Survey, 2025).
- One of only four R1 research universities in Georgia, with more than $2 billion invested in research over the last decade.
- Georgia State operates the CHARA Array of optical telescopes on Mount Wilson in California, used by its astronomy program.
Schools & faculties
- Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
- Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Law
- College of the Arts
- Honors College
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences
- J. Mack Robinson College of Business
- Perimeter College
- School of Public Health
- The Graduate School
College Scorecard: median earnings of $47,384 ten years after entry and $37,844 six years after entry for federally aided students.
Student life
Georgia State is a city campus woven into downtown Atlanta, with student housing such as the 2,000-bed University Commons and a stadium at the former Turner Field, the converted 1996 Olympic stadium now known as Georgia State Stadium. Most undergraduates commute: about 19% live in university housing. The student body is one of the most diverse in the country, and student media includes the WRAS Album 88 radio station and The Signal newspaper. The Panthers compete in NCAA Division I's Sun Belt Conference.
- 16 NCAA Division I teams in the Sun Belt Conference, of which Georgia State is a founding member.
- Album 88 (WRAS 88.5 FM), a full-power student radio station, plus The Signal student newspaper.
- Georgia State bought Turner Field, the converted 1996 Olympic stadium, in 2017 and renamed it Georgia State Stadium.
- Honors College students can live in dedicated honors housing in University Commons.
Housing. Georgia State has residence halls downtown, including the 2,000-bed University Commons; about 19% of undergraduates live in university housing and the housing application for fall 2027 opens February 9, 2027.
Location
Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and a major business hub of the Southeast, with 14 Fortune 500 headquarters. Georgia State's 100-acre-plus campus is in the heart of downtown and overlaps with many of the city's businesses and organizations, and the university says nearly 80% of its alumni live and work in Atlanta. Five Perimeter College campuses extend the university into Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody and Newton.
Nearest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Notable alumni
- L LudacrisGrammy-winning rapper and actor; studied music management (1998-99) and later artist-in-residence
- KD Kenneth D. LewisFormer CEO and chairman of Bank of America; BA in finance from the Robinson College of Business
- KL Keisha Lance Bottoms60th mayor of Atlanta; JD from the College of Law (1994)
- AD Andre Dickens61st mayor of Atlanta; Master of Public Administration
- BR Brad RaffenspergerGeorgia secretary of state; MBA
- JP Jody PowellWhite House press secretary to President Jimmy Carter; BA (1966)
- WD William DuVallCo-lead vocalist of Alice in Chains; philosophy degree
- AN Amber NashActress and comedian, voice of Pam Poovey in Archer; graduate
Frequently asked questions
What is Georgia State University's acceptance rate?
Georgia State admitted 24,217 of 42,323 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 57%. Admission to the Atlanta Campus is largely based on the Freshman Index, which combines your core GPA and SAT or ACT scores.
Does Georgia State require the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Applicants to the Atlanta Campus for fall 2026 and later must submit official SAT or ACT scores, with minimums of SAT 480 Reading and Writing and 440 Math or ACT 17 English or Reading and 17 Math, and a Freshman Index of at least 2500.
When is the Georgia State application deadline for fall 2027?
Early Action closes November 15, 2026 and is also the priority deadline for the Honors College and major scholarships. The final Regular Decision deadline is May 1, 2027; international first-years applying to the Atlanta Campus should apply by April 1.
How much does Georgia State cost for international students?
For 2026-27, bachelor's tuition and fees are $33,090 for out-of-country students versus $10,590 for Georgia residents. The full on-campus cost of attendance is about $57,050 for international students.
Can international students get scholarships at Georgia State?
Yes. Out-of-state and international first-years with at least a 3.6 college-prep GPA can receive a waiver of the whole out-of-state portion of tuition for four years, with priority for applicants who apply by November 15; it is not a full tuition scholarship.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Georgia State Undergraduate Admissions
- Georgia State Admissions: High School Students
- Georgia State Admissions: 2026-27 First-Year Admission Timeline (fall 2027 entry)
- Georgia State Admissions: International First-Year Students
- Georgia State Admissions: Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Georgia State Student Financial Services: 2026-2027 Cost of Attendance
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