The University of North Georgia's (UNG) enrollment increased for the fall 2023 semester, and the university is serving 18,086 students across five campuses and online, according to the University System of Georgia's (USG) enrollment report released Nov. 14. This increase came after two years of enrollment decreases in the aftermath 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."

This fall, U.S. News and World Report recognized UNG as a "Best Value College" and on its "Least Debt Load" list, which measures schools whose 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 of online enrollment to 1,304 students from 1,025 a year earlier. UNG has moved 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 this fall.

The university also experienced a growth in graduate students to 832, up from 790 in fall 2022. 

Much like public higher education institutions across the nation, UNG enrollment had fallen in the past two years after eight consecutive years of growth. Between 2013 and 2020, UNG saw a steady increase in the number of students attending the university, with record-high headcounts each fall.

Enrollment increased at 23 of USG's 26 public colleges and universities, according to USG's Fall 2023 Semester Enrollment Report. The number of students at USG institutions across Georgia rose by 9,993 over last fall.

"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."

USG's annual fall semester enrollment report, which analyzes enrollment data by institution, age, gender, race and ethnicity, in-state, out-of-state and international students, is available here.