Enrollment growth increases student body to near 20,000

With a record 19,722 students currently enrolled, the University of North Georgia (UNG) experienced a growth of 5 percent for the 2018 fall semester.

Among Georgia’s public colleges and universities, UNG’s percentage increase is the third largest, just behind Middle Georgia State University at 6.3 percent growth. Georgia Institute of Technology saw the highest percentage of enrollment growth at 11.4 percent.

"Our increasing enrollment and the demand for our programs reflect UNG's consistent national recognition as one of the best values in higher education, as well as the commitment of our faculty and staff to educational excellence," UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs said. "From dual enrollment to graduate programs, UNG is attracting highly qualified and extremely talented students at all levels."

Enrollment numbers were released Nov. 7 in the University System of Georgia (USG) Fall 2018 Semester Enrollment Report, which breaks down enrollment by institution, class, race and ethnicity, in-state, out-of-state and international students, as well as gender and age.

Fall 2018 enrollment in the USG's 26 colleges and universities totaled 328,712 students, an increase of 1.1 percent over fall 2017. According to the report, enrollment increased at 12 institutions, including UNG, and decreased at 14 institutions.

“While the University System of Georgia continues to see modest increases in enrollment, more students than ever are graduating from our institutions,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “The number of USG students annually earning degrees is up 21 percent since 2011, when the Complete College Georgia initiative related to college attainment launched. With this success, we remain committed to our goals of making college more affordable and accessible, finding greater opportunities to be more efficient and ensuring more Georgians enter the workforce with a college credential.”

Also, UNG had enrollment increases in graduate programs and the dual-enrollment program, which allows students to earn college credit while in high school. For the second year in a row, UNG had the second-highest number of dual-enrolled students within the USG with 1,241. Graduate enrollment at UNG grew from 609 to 681, with 505 of those currently enrolled in master's degree programs. Since fall 2017, UNG has added several graduate-level programs, including Doctor of Nursing Practice; Doctor of Education in higher education leadership and practice; post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy; Master of Science in human services delivery and administration; Master of Science in athletic training; Master of Accountancy; and certificates in entrepreneurship and innovation, cybersecurity, nurse executive leader, and transfer leadership and practice.

System-wide the dual-enrollment program grew from 11,536 students in fall 2017 to 12,394 in fall 2018, a 7.4 percent increase. Graduate programs also contributed to the fall 2018 enrollment increase with 53,169 students enrolled across the USG, which is a 7.4 percent increase over fall 2017.

Student diversity also grew at UNG from 2017-18. The number of Hispanic students increased from 2,323 to 2,629 to account for 13.3 percent of the student population. Additionally, the number of Asian students increased from 661 to 672 and the number of African-American students increased from 828 to 842.

With 8,160 students, the Gainesville Campus had the highest enrollment of UNG's five campuses for fall 2018. Enrollment on UNG's other four campuses and online for fall 2018: Blue Ridge-152; Cumming-1,301; Dahlonega-7,221; Oconee-2,439; and online-449. Additionally, UNG has 747 members of the Corps of Cadets for fall 2018.

The full enrollment report can be accessed online.