Tuition Increased, Test Scores Waived For GA College Students

GEORGIA — University officials approved this week an increase in tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic school year in Georgia, and said a temporary waiver of test score requirements has been extended.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted Tuesday on tuition for the system's 26 public colleges and universities.

In-state undergraduate tuition will increase by 2.5 percent, and out-of-state tuition will increase by 5 percent, the USG said in a news release.

A new, third level of tuition for students not currently in the U.S. will be established at 2 percent more than the rate for out-of-state students, the USG said.

Tuition rates for each institution can be found here.

“Maintaining affordability is one of the highest priorities of the university system and the Board of Regents,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in the release. “We are a good deal for Georgians, and we have worked to protect that value particularly for our Georgia undergraduates as we balance affordability with institutional sustainability and academic quality. Our institutions face increasing costs to operate, and we must sustain their momentum as some of the best in the nation at helping students succeed on campus and in the workforce.”

The USG said it has maintained a flat tuition rate for six of the past eight years. However, budgets have been impacted by escalating costs for people, goods and services and increased competition from the private sector for talent and overall inflation.

Middle Georgia State University in Macon, the sole university to raise tuition during the last academic year, will complete the last of a three-year plan to align its undergraduate tuition with other universities in the same academic sector, the USG said.

The board approved changes to the mandatory fee structure at 20 of USG’s 26 colleges and universities to address the significant growth in the number of students fully taking classes online, the USG said.

"The approved structure means fully online students will be charged an online learning fee equivalent to their institution’s technology fee, as well as 50 percent of their institution’s mandatory fees," the USG said in the release.

"This change provides more consistency to the institutional fees for all students. Mandatory fees support and enhance campus programming and student-focused activities, technology and athletic programs – all critical components to the college experience."

The news comes two years after the state board removed a mandatory special institutional fee, established during the recession, that students had been charged since 2009, the USG said.

Georgia tuition ranks third lowest for average undergraduate tuition and required fees among 16 Southern Regional Education Board states, with the USG being the sixth lowest in average tuition and fees, the USG said.

While students will face increase tuition, they will not face mandated test scores. The USG voted Tuesday to extend its test optional waiver. A new component, students who are dual-enrolled may now benefit from the waiver.

Test scores will not be required for admission at 23 of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities for fall 2025 through summer 2026.

The USG said the waiver does not apply to the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia and Georgia College and State University.

"Test scores will continue to be required to apply for Zell Miller scholarships in accordance with state of Georgia requirements," the USG said in the release.

In lieu of test scores, the following two options are available:

1. Freshman index: Schools can use a formula that includes the student’s high school grade point average and test scores for either the SAT or ACT.
2. Test-optional: Schools can use the student’s grade point average on the required high school curriculum without a standardized test score at the following minimum grade point averages (GPA):

• 3.4 GPA for research universities: Augusta University and Georgia State University.
• 3.2 GPA for comprehensive universities: Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University.
• 3.0 GPA for state universities: Albany State University, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Middle Georgia State University, Savannah State University and the University of North Georgia.
• State colleges: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, College of Coastal Georgia, Dalton State College, East Georgia State College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Highlands College, Gordon State College and South Georgia State College will continue to be test-optional in accordance with Board of Regents policy.