ATLANTA — Georgia State University set an all-time enrollment record this fall with 54,320 total students, according to official census data released last week.
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The enrollment figure reflects a 1.24% increase over the previous fall semester, the university said Tuesday. It also surpasses the university’s previous record, set in fall 2020, by roughly 600 students.
The record growth comes during a broader period of economic and demographic challenges across higher education. Georgia State President M. Brian Blake attributed the figures to institutional focus on student outcomes.
“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,” Blake said. “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.”
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The university’s main Atlanta campus reported more than 35,200 students, representing a 1.22% increase over last fall. Perimeter College enrolled more than 19,000 students, a 4.46% increase from the previous fall, reaching its highest enrollment total since consolidating with Georgia State in 2016.
Graduate student enrollment reached 8,426 degree-seeking students in fall 2026, marking the university’s highest graduate count in at least two decades. First-year student numbers grew across both campuses, with the Atlanta Campus admitting 4,433 new first-year students, a 7.89% increase and Perimeter College admitting 3,142, a 5.68% increase.
In addition to new first-year students, 1,148 students transitioned from Perimeter College to downtown bachelor’s degree programs on the Atlanta campus, a 13.33% increase over the previous fall.
Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, discussed the role of academic offerings and campus support.
“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,” Parsons-Pollard said. “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 officials noted that ongoing efforts to broaden access, streamline admissions and support degree completion contributed to the growth.
Allison Calhoun-Brown, senior vice president for Student Success, highlighted the institution’s approach.
“Our enrollment growth is welcome news and is bucking national trends we’ve seen in higher education,” Calhoun-Brown 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.”
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