Official numbers verified by the University System of Georgia (USG) show Georgia Southern University set several enrollment records this year, and saw growth on its Armstrong Campus in Savannah and in online classes.
Georgia Southern’s official fall 2023 enrollment was 26,106, a 2.35% increase over fall 2022’s final enrollment figure of 25,506.
Records set this year include:
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Total number of dual enrolled students (new and returning) – this year, there are 1,058 enrolled, an increase of 259 students (32.4%) from last fall. The previous record was 982 in fall 2021.
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New dual enrolled students – this year there are 773 enrolled, an increase of 265 students (52.2%) from last fall. The previous record was 640 in fall 2020.
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Total number of graduate students (new & returning) – this year there are 3,753 enrolled, an increase of 250 students (7.1%) from last fall. The previous record was 3,549 in fall 2021.
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Honors College students – this year there are 309 new freshmen enrolled, up from 183 (69%) last fall.
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New graduate students – this year there are 1,007 enrolled, an increase of 134 students (15.4%) from last fall. The previous record was 956 in fall 2016.
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Masters degree students – this year there are 2,758 enrolled, an increase of 193 students (7.6%) from last fall. The previous record was 2,682 in fall 2009.
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Doctoral students – this year there are 688 enrolled, an increase of 51 students (8.0%) from last fall. The previous record was 657 in fall 2019.
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Out-of-state students (new and returning) – this year there are 2,869 enrolled, an increase of 259 students (14.6%) from last fall. The previous record was 2,646 in fall 2021.
Here’s how some of Georgia Southern's numbers break out over the last five years:
“Our mission is to provide a quality, relevant educational experience that will equip the future leaders of our state with the knowledge and skills they need to make an immediate impact in their careers and communities," said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. "This enrollment growth is not only a testament to the strategic efforts and hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff but also a reflection of Georgia Southern's commitment to student success and talent development that serves the growing needs of our region."
He also noted that the University’s retention rate, now up to 77.2%, plays an important role in student success and overall enrollment numbers, which this year include:
A 2.7% growth on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah this year comes on the heels of more than 30 academic programs that have been developed or expanded on the Armstrong Campus in the last five years. New programs this past fall include management and marketing – the top two student-desired business programs that also align with our labor market needs.
Other Savannah-based efforts last year include providing more late afternoon and evening courses for those balancing work and study times, a new Executive Master’s in Criminal Justice Program for current POST-certified law enforcement officers in the state of Georgia, the beginning of renovations to accommodate Augusta University medical school students next year, the redevelopment of a former GBI building into a new research complex, and the announcement of graduate programs that will be offered in 2024 at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield as well.
"We are proud of our record-setting enrollment achievements this year as they represent our steadfast commitment to educational excellence and student success,” said Alejandra C. Sosa Pieroni, executive vice president of the Division of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success. “Our growth across various programs, especially in dual enrollment, graduate studies, and out-of-state recruitment, underscores our dedication to offering diverse and dynamic learning experiences. This success is a testament to our innovative approaches and our unwavering focus on serving the evolving needs of our students and the community. We're not just enrolling students; we're nurturing future leaders and contributing significantly to the educational landscape of Georgia and beyond.”
