UGA earns top national rankings

People walk past the iconic UGA Arch from downtown Athens, GA to North Campus. (Dorothy Kozlowski/University of Georgia Marketing and Communications)

The University of Georgia is once again being recognized among the nation’s top public universities, earning high marks in The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings for academic excellence, affordability, and postgraduation success.

UGA ranked No. 12 on the publication’s list of the Top 50 Best Value Public Universities, a measure that reflects both educational quality and return on investment. The university also placed No. 8 for Best Alumni Networks among public schools, No. 10 for Access to Financial Aid, and No. 16 for Internship Placement.

“It is gratifying to see the University of Georgia ranked among the nation’s top universities,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “These accomplishments reflect the dedication and talent of our exceptional faculty, staff and students whose efforts continue to elevate the university’s reputation and impact.”

String of national honors

The Princeton Review accolades add to a string of national honors for UGA. In Money magazine’s latest rankings, the university earned 4.5 out of 5 stars, with strong marks for graduation rates, access to financial aid, and the number of students who win prestigious national awards.

Niche also ranked UGA No. 11 among public universities nationwide, giving the school its highest distinction—an overall grade of A+. UGA scored particularly high in subcategories, including:

  • No. 1 in America for Student Life
  • No. 5 for Sports Management
  • No. 6 for Business
  • No. 7 for Communication
  • No. 12 for Best College Campuses

Impressive incoming class

This recognition comes as UGA welcomes one of its most accomplished first-year classes in school history. For fall 2025, the university received more than 47,860 applications, ultimately enrolling over 6,200 first-year students. The incoming class boasts an average GPA of 4.17, an average SAT score of 1356, and an average ACT score of 31, along with an average of 11 advanced courses such as AP, IB, or dual enrollment.

“The University of Georgia continues to be recognized among the best public universities in the nation,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, UGA’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “These rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to pursuing excellence in our teaching, research and service efforts.”