Georgia Tech Reaches New Milestones in Enrollment, Graduation, and Retention Rates

As Georgia Tech advances its ambitious Big Bet No. 2 — to double the annual number of degrees granted and expand access to lifelong learning — the Institute has achieved record numbers in both enrollment and degree completion. This past academic year, Georgia Tech conferred 12,000 degrees, a major step toward its goal of 15,000 annual graduates by 2030. By prioritizing both enrollment and degree attainment, Georgia Tech ensures that its graduates are prepared to drive economic growth and community impact across Georgia and beyond. 

Increased Enrollment Reflects Institute Commitment to Expanding Access 

The Fall 2024 cohort includes 3,838 first-time, full-time students and 1,376 transfer students. These incoming students join a total of 51,433 degree-seeking individuals, 18,785 of whom are undergraduates. The top five majors among current undergraduate students are Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Aerospace Engineering, and Industrial Engineering with 83% of undergraduates pursuing STEM majors.

Of the undergraduate student population, 61% are in-state students, 3,421 are Pell Grant recipients, and 1,562 identify as first-generation college students, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to offering high-quality education to a diverse student body.   

Graduation and Retention Rates Far Exceed National Averages 

For the Fall 2020 first-year cohort, the four-year graduation rate reached an all-time high of 70%, up from 66% for the previous cohort. Over the past decade, this rate has increased by more than 24 percentage points, far surpassing the national average of 64% for public four-year institutions. Additionally, students in the Fall 2018 cohort achieved a six-year graduation rate of 94%, marking another milestone and underscoring the Institute's success in supporting students to degree completion. 

Retention rates for first-year students are also a point of pride for Georgia Tech. The first-to-second-year retention rate for the Fall 2023 freshman cohort remains at 98%, well above the national average of 76% for four-year institutions. This consistently high retention rate highlights the effectiveness of the support systems in place for incoming students. 

“Since we launched our Complete College Georgia plan in 2011, we have made strategic investments to ensure that all students have the support and resources they need to succeed,” said Steven Girardot, vice provost for undergraduate education. “I am excited to see how this has translated into these strong outcomes and look forward to the continued impact of new initiatives coming in the year ahead.” 

The Institute’s robust engagement with high-impact practices (HIPs) such as co-ops, internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, community-based learning, and innovation projects help students connect classroom learning with hands-on experiences, deepening their professional and academic development. Expanded academic success resources including a variety of tutoring programs, academic coaching, and improved advising technologies further contribute to enhancing student success. 

Georgia Tech’s ongoing success in retention and graduation metrics speaks to the Institute’s comprehensive approach to undergraduate education, ensuring that students not only begin but also complete their degrees, prepared for success beyond the classroom. 

For more information about Complete College Georgia and Georgia Tech’s completion and retention initiatives, visit Complete College Georgia.