UGA extends top 20 streak among public universities to 11 years

U.S. News rankings highlight more than a decade of national excellence.

For the 11th consecutive year, the University of Georgia is among the nation’s top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings. UGA is tied at No. 19 with Virginia Tech and William & Mary.

“Sustaining a place among the nation’s top 20 public universities for 11 consecutive years is a true testament to our faculty, staff and students who consistently demonstrate excellence across all areas of our campus,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “This latest ranking is one more indicator that UGA is advancing every facet of our land-grant and sea-grant mission.”

The ranking places UGA third among public universities in the Southeastern Conference and makes it one of only two Georgia institutions, along with Georgia Tech, ranked among the nation’s top 20 public universities. Among all public institutions, UGA ranks just ahead of Purdue University and Penn State and immediately follows the University of Washington and the University of Maryland.

Georgia is also one of only three states with multiple schools ranked within the top 20 public institutions.

U.S. News & World Report evaluates a variety of institutional characteristics to determine ranking placements including graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, social mobility and faculty research productivity.

Several UGA programs also received high marks in the U.S. News rankings. Multiple undergraduate programs in the Terry College of Business ranked among the top 20 in their categories. Terry’s insurance program placed No. 2, its real estate program was No. 5, and its management information systems program ranked No. 11. The college’s accounting program ranked No. 24 in the nation, up six spots from the previous year.

UGA has also been recognized by U.S. News for its statewide impact, ranking No. 21 among the nation’s best value schools for in-state students. In addition, the university placed No. 28 in the nation for best colleges for veterans.

Students seated at classroom desks use laptops while listening to an instructor at the front of the room. — Continuing a trend of record-setting student success, UGA’s newest first-year students comprise the university’s most academically accomplished cohort yet.

A woman leans over the edge of a boat to collect oysters from a row of floating cages in the ocean. — UGA is helping grow Georgia’s coastal economy through oyster farming partnerships with researchers, producers, restaurants, nonprofits and state agencies, contributing to the university’s record $9.2 billion economic impact statewide in 2025.

This recognition by U.S. News adds to a growing list of recent accolades and reinforces UGA’s standing as one of the nation’s leading public universities. In its recently issued 2027 rankings, The Princeton Review recognized UGA as No. 12 among the top 50 best value public universities. UGA earned an A+ grade overall in Niche’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, positioning the university among the top 2.5% of colleges scored by Niche.

“The University of Georgia’s consistent standing among the nation’s top public universities reflects our commitment to delivering an exceptional educational experience and lasting value for students,” said Ron Walcott, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Our students are thriving in the classroom, our faculty are advancing discovery and innovation, and our graduates are making meaningful contributions in communities throughout Georgia and around the world.”

The momentum behind the ranking

The first class of UGA medical students participated in the School of Medicine’s inaugural White Coat Ceremony, beginning their journey toward serving patients across Georgia. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)

UGA’s status among the nation’s top public universities is fueled by a growing record of achievement in student success, research innovation and service to the state of Georgia.

At the beginning of the fall 2026 semester, the School of Medicine enrolled 64 students in its inaugural class, paving the way for the university to produce more highly trained physicians, address workforce shortages and strengthen healthcare across Georgia. The new school, one of only two public medical schools in Georgia, is projected to generate between $1.8 and $2.3 billion in cumulative economic impact on the state by 2040.

Building on that commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of all Georgians, UGA also continued its progress in establishing the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing, which plans to welcome its inaugural class of 60 students in fall 2027.

The U.S. News recognition comes as UGA enrolls one of the most accomplished incoming classes in its history, highlighting the increasing demand for a University of Georgia education. For fall 2026, the university received more than 51,600 applications and welcomed more than 6,250 first-year students from 43 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 23 nations.

The same commitment to excellence that attracts top students is also driving record-setting growth in research and innovation. For the first time in its history, the university reached $654 million in research and development expenditures in fiscal year 2025, representing a 4.1% increase over the previous year. Since 2015, UGA’s R&D activity has grown by 75%.

The growth of the university’s research enterprise has been enhanced by a strategic focus on hiring and supporting renowned faculty. UGA has added 223 scholars since 2020 and has increased its number of endowed professorships to 420.

Fueled in part by this growth, UGA once again placed No. 1 on AUTM’s list of U.S. universities for new commercial products brought to market by industry partners based on university research. This marks the fourth consecutive year that UGA held the No. 1 spot.

Driven by a booming research ecosystem and expansive public service initiatives, UGA generated a record $9.2 billion in economic impact on its home state in 2025. This total represents an $800 million increase over the previous year, a surge bolstered by the institution’s innovation output and the growing number of graduates contributing to the economy.

A square stat graphic with a red background, a white line border and white text that says "$654 million annual research and development expenditures in fiscal year 2025."

A square stat graphic with a red background, a white line border and white text that says "$9.2 billion annual economic impact on Georgia."

A square stat graphic with a red background, a white line border and white text that says "#1 in the nation for new products to market on AUTM's list of U.S. colleges and universities."

Writing by: Halleigh Manibusan
Photography by: Andrew Davis Tucker and Dorothy Kozlowski
Design by: Andrea Piazza