ATLANTA — With more than 54,000 students this fall, Georgia State University has set a new all-time enrollment record.
Of the 54,320 students reported on Georgia State’s official census Oct. 7, more than 35,200 are students on the university’s Atlanta Campus, a 1.22 percent increase over the student population on the campus last fall.
More than 19,000 Georgia State students are enrolled at the university’s Perimeter College, a 4.46 percent increase over last fall and its highest enrollment since it consolidated with Georgia State in 2016.
Georgia State also enrolled 8,426 graduate degree-seeking students in fall 2026, the highest number in at least two decades.
“At a time when higher education is facing significant demographic and economic headwinds, Georgia State is demonstrating what is possible when a university focuses relentlessly on student success, educational value and the student experience,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake.
“Students and families are making increasingly thoughtful decisions about where to invest their time and resources. They want an exceptional education, a clear pathway to meaningful careers and a campus where they feel connected and inspired. Our growth tells us that Georgia State is delivering on those expectations.”
Georgia State’s overall fall enrollment is a 1.24 percent increase over the previous fall and eclipses the institution’s previous record set in fall 2020 by roughly 600 students.
First-year enrollment at both the Atlanta Campus and Perimeter College also saw considerable increases this fall.
The Atlanta Campus welcomed 4,433 new first-year students, a 7.89 percent increase, while Perimeter welcomed 3,142, a 5.68 percent increase. In addition to new first-year students, the Atlanta Campus welcomed 1,148 students who transitioned from Perimeter to bachelor’s degree programs downtown, a 13.33 percent increase over the previous fall.
“The incredible range of academic programs we offer combined with the unmatched support and experience a student gets at Georgia State continue to attract new Panthers,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Nicolle Parsons-Pollard. “As we welcome more and more students to our campuses and classrooms, we’re seeding the workforce of tomorrow with the knowledge and skill sets that will ensure our economy grows and thrives.”
University efforts to increase access, simplify the admission process and support students’ journey toward degree completion are also paying off, said Allison Calhoun-Brown, Georgia State’s senior vice president for Student Success.
“Our enrollment growth is welcome news and is bucking national trends we’ve seen in higher education,” she said. “But it’s a collaborative effort. We’ve been intentional about the work we do with our partners across the university and intentional about ensuring the value proposition we offer is understood by prospective students and families. A Georgia State education and the Georgia State experience open doors. That message is resonating.”