The University System of Georgia (USG) reported a significant increase in degrees awarded during fiscal year 2025, reaching a record high of 82,607 degrees. This marks a 7.9% rise compared to the previous year and is the largest annual increase for the system in the past ten years.
Since joining the Complete College America program in 2011, USG has seen the number of degrees conferred grow by over 50%, while enrollment has increased by nearly 13%. This trend indicates that degree completion rates are rising faster than overall student enrollment.
“USG is producing a record number of graduates ready to fill high-demand, high-skill jobs that power Georgia’s economy,” said USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue. “Our focus on student success delivers real value — not just for the state, but for every student whose degree opens doors to opportunity and long-term prosperity. That’s what I call good, better, best.”
Graduate and professional degrees reached 28,868 in FY2025, representing a 15.2% increase from the prior year. Undergraduate degrees totaled 53,739, up by 4.3% from FY2024. The system also saw notable growth in master’s degrees, which rose by more than 2,200 or about 12% since last year and have increased by 40% since 2021. Education specialist degrees also grew sharply—by approximately 1,000 or nearly 57% over last year—reflecting efforts to improve teacher skills and retention across Georgia.
USG attributes these gains to several ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting degree completion and transparency around college outcomes. One such initiative is Georgia Degrees Pay, launched in 2022 to provide public access to data on student outcomes, costs, debt levels, and average earnings for graduates across all USG institutions. In its latest update this year, Georgia Degrees Pay introduced new search features that help students compare programs across campuses and online offerings.
Other efforts include Momentum Year—which supports first-year college students—and Complete College Georgia, which leverages predictive analytics and degree planning tools to help more students graduate on time.
According to data cited by USG, individuals who earn at least a bachelor’s degree from a USG institution can expect lifetime earnings exceeding $1.4 million more than those without a college degree. Advanced degrees can add more than $2 million in additional career earnings for some graduates.
