A Private School Feel at Public School Rates

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is one of Georgia's fastest-growing four-year public universities, with some 3100 students and a slate of newly renovated buildings, three new residence halls, and the recently built Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex. GSW is competitively priced as part of the public University System of Georgia and prides itself on its private-college feel, with a student to faculty member ratio of 17:1 and special guidance for GSW freshmen.

GSW was founded in 1906 as an agricultural and mechanical school in the charming city of Americus, Georgia, about 150 miles south of Atlanta. Over the years, the school has expanded its scope to include education, arts, business, and health science programs. Notable GSW alumni include former U.S. President, Habitat for Humanity International supporter, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

A Beautiful Natural Setting for Learning and Recreation

GSW's 400 acre campus features a natural landscape of pines and hardwood trees. The College Lake covers eight acres on the eastern side of the campus and is a popular spot for picnics, fishing, and swimming. The nearby lake house is available for student events.

The Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center, named for the former U.S. Attorney General and GSW alumnus, provides students, faculty members, and the public with an 18-hole golf course and an elegant setting for student social events.

GSW's Challenge Course is designed to serve as an outdoor classroom. The Challenge Course offers students and guests a place to work on teambuilding and character-development skills, while the Olympic-size swimming pool, the climbing wall, and the campus disc golf course offer other ways to stay fit and unwind.

An Abundance of Scholarships for Freshmen

Georgia Southwestern State University has one of the largest endowments in the state. The school offers many scholarship options. Twenty percent of the students in the freshman class earn merit-based scholarships. GSW offers two-dozen scholarship programs especially for freshmen, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, special talent, financial need, field of study, and other criteria.

The school's Beginning Freshmen Scholarship Application streamlines the application process by covering several of the school's scholarship programs.

The First Year Experience Program

The transition from home and high school to college life and campus living is made easier by GSW's First Year Experience (FYE) program. FYE includes learning communities for first semester freshmen, time-management and study skills instruction, social activities, tutoring, and a freshmen residence hall. The FYE program also gives new students access to the First Year Advocate, a full-time staff member devoted to helping freshmen and their parents navigate college life.

School of Nursing and Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving Programs

The University's School of Nursing has been training students since 1953. It now operates in the cutting-edge Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex, which includes a simulated hospital lab with critical care, trauma, medical-surgical, obstetrical and pediatric units. The school operates a study abroad program in Jamaica, and GSW nursing students help with community health fairs in and around Americus.

Nursing students may choose among degree and certificate programs including a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree program, an Accelerated B.S.N. degree program for students with degrees in a non-nursing field, and the L.P.N. to B.S.N. degree program for current licensed practical nurses. The Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregiving Issues and Management Certificate Program is open to all GSW nursing students and practicing nurses. It covers caregiver support and cultural issues and is the only such program in Georgia.

High school students may apply for the School of Nursing's Guaranteed Acceptance Program (GAP), a program offering highly qualified students guaranteed admission to the nursing program upon successful completion of pre-nursing requirements. GAP students are advised by School of Nursing faculty members and can take part in the GSW Association of Nursing Students activities.

Concentrations and Pre-professional Programs in the Health Sciences and Engineering

Georgia Southwestern State University offers a wide range of pre-professional degree plans and concentrations for students pursuing careers in dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and other health science disciplines. There is also a pre-veterinary program.

In conjunction with Georgia Tech, GSW offers the Dual Degree Engineering Program and the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP), both of which let students begin their coursework at GSW and transfer to Georgia Tech if their grades are satisfactory. Graduates from the dual degree program earn Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees from both GSW and Georgia Tech. RETP graduates receive B.S. degrees in engineering from Georgia Tech.

Preparation for Careers in Computing and Mathematics

Graduates from GSW's School of Computing and Mathematics have gone on to jobs with Google, Amazon, Dell, the U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Base, and other high-profile employers. Students working toward a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degrees can choose among computational science and engineering, financial engineering, teacher certification, and other options.

The Department of Computer Science offers bachelor's degree programs in computer science, business information technology, and multimedia information technology, along with a master's degree in computer science.

A Strong Foundation for a Career in the Classroom

Future educators have an array of options within the School of Education. Bachelor of Science in Education majors include early childhood, health and physical education, special education, and exercise science and wellness. The school offers a concentration in middle grades education and prepares students for secondary-education certification in English, math, music, and history.

Building Real-World Business and Management Skills

GSW's School of Business Administration offers students opportunities to work on real-world business issues through internships and its Center for Business and Economic Development. The center helps regional enterprises with research, consulting, and management while students gain hands-on experience under faculty supervision.

Bachelor of Business Administration degree programs include accounting, management, marketing, and human resource management. Concentration options include natural resources management and professional golf management.

Strong Liberal Arts Options

The College of Arts and Sciences at Georgia Southwestern offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees in core fields of study such as English, chemistry, biology, geology, psychology, political science, sociology, history, and the dramatic arts. Southwestern also offers a pre-law advisor for students wishing to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Glassblowing and other Art Programs

Glass-art students get hands-on experience at GSW, which has the only academic glassblowing studio in the state. Art majors can pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees with a stronger liberal arts focus. Concentrations within the undergraduate art program besides glass include ceramics, digital media, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

An Honors Program with a Sense of Community

GSW Honors Program students earn special privileges through hard work and academic excellence. Honors students get priority housing and course registration, extra enrichment activities, faculty interaction, and study abroad support. Students in the Honors Program also have the opportunity to attend academic conferences with their peers.

• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Human Resources Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Information Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Middle School Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Special Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied1,279
• Accepted863
• Acceptance Rate67%
• Enrolled2,606
• Female Applicants775
• Females Accepted515
• Female Acceptance Rate66%
• Male Applicants504
• Males Accepted348
• Male Acceptance Rate69%
• Applying
• Application Fee $25
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  Minimum high school GPA of 2
  college preparatory curriculum
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.25
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen July 21st --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer July 21st --
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 531 490 570
• SAT Math 512 470 540
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite 21 19 23
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$4,956
• Out-of-state tuition *$18,032
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$1,376
• Room and board *$7,910
• Room only *$3,970
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredNot Reported
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionSenior Citizens

• Average Financial Aid Package:$9,480
• Average Freshman Financial Aid Package:$10,198
• Average Loan Aid:$3,984
• Average Grant Aid:$1,977
• Average Scholarship and/or Grant Aid Awarded:$4,902
• Percentage of Students with Need who Receive Financial Aid:98%
• Average Percentage of Financial Need Met: 60%
• Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met: 13%

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students2,606
• Male Student Percentage37%
• Female Student Percentage63%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino5.65%
• Black or African American26.32%
• White or Caucasian62.1%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.17%
• Asian1.44%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.17%
• Two or more races2.08%
• Unknown or International Student.25%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout1.83% representing 33 other countries
• Out-of-state Students4% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 32%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station No
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations National sororities and fraternities, African Student Association, Enactus, Outdoor Club, International Student Association
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division 2 Yes
• Basketball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Cross-country running No No No
• Golf No Division 2 Yes
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Soccer No Division 2 Yes
• Softball No No No
• Tennis No Division 2 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Cross-country running No Division 2 Yes
• Golf No No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Soccer No Division 2 Yes
• Softball No Division 2 Yes
• Tennis No Division 2 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes No No

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty166
• Full-time Percentage72%
• Part-time Percentage28%
• Female Percentage58%
• Male Percentage42%
• Student:Faculty Ratio18:1 or 2,375 students to 135 faculty