Georgia Southern University

<h4 id="section---Pros">Pros</h4> <ul><li>High number of academic programs </li><li>Student debt following graduation is $6,065 lower than the national average </li><li>Accepts dual credit, credit for life experiences and advanced placement (AP) credits </li><li>Diverse student body </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons">Cons</h4> <ul><li>Acceptance rate is 11.8 percentage points lower than the national average </li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1, which is higher than the national average </li><li>Total cost (including all school and living expenses) is $4,034 higher than the national average for public, 4-year schools </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingSchoolAnalysis">Ranking &amp; School Analysis</h3> <p>Georgia Southern University offers degrees in art, business administration, geology, finance, history and multimedia communication. The most popular colleges on campus, in terms of enrollment are: Liberal Arts &amp; Social Sciences, College of Science &amp; Technology and College of Business Administration. GSU is a large university with approximately 20,000 students. It is somewhat selective with an admission rate of 52%. Roughly half of all students who apply will be accepted. </p> <p>The total cost of attending GSU is $21,894 which is quite a bit higher than the national average of $17,860. However, student debt following graduation is $6,064 lower than the national average. Georgia Southern University awards credit for advanced placement, international baccalaureate and college-level examination program tests. Students may not receive as much individual attention at GSU as they would at other schools. There are 22 students per teacher which is much higher than the national average of 16 students per teacher. </p> <p>Georgia Southern University has the only College of Information Technology in the southeastern United States. It is also ranked as one of the best graduate schools in America by <i>U.S. News and World Report.</i> </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsAndFinancialAidAtGeorgiaSouthernUniversity">Admissions and Financial Aid at Georgia Southern University</h2> <p>Prospective students interested in Georgia Southern University can apply online or on paper. Applicants must send in an application with a registration fee, in addition to submitting official transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Students who don't meet the requirements for admission, but do meet a minimum SAT score (920 to 990) and GPA (at least 2.0) and have completed the college prep curriculum may be granted deferred admission. If so, they must enroll in and successfully complete the 'Eagle Incentive Program' during the summer to become eligible in the fall for regular admission. </p> <p>There are four main types of financial aid available to Georgia Southern University students. Students may apply for work-study programs, loans, scholarships and grants. Awards are based on financial need, merit or both. Incoming students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application helps in determining eligibility. Scholarships are available from the university and from private sources. The HOPE Scholarship is awarded to Georgia students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Application &amp; Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Regular School Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i></td><td>May 1st*</td></tr> <tr><td><i> Financial Aid Priority Application Due (2013-2014)</i></td><td>April 20th*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Application Fee (2011-2012)</i></td><td>$30*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Acceptance Rate (2011-2012)</i></td><td>52%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2012-2013)</i></td><td>$21,894 for residents, $31,715 for non-residents***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Financial Aid Package (2011)</i></td><td>$8,548*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i></td><td>$20,595****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Percentage of Students with Need Met</i></td><td>8.6%****</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i></td><td>7.4%***</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---LifeAtGeorgiaSouthernUniversity">Life at Georgia Southern University</h2> <p>Georgia Southern University is a large-size public school which sits on over 900 acres. The Center for Wildlife Education and The Georgia Southern Museum are located on-campus. Admission to both is free for GSU students. A Performing Arts Center and Garden of the Coastal Plain are also located on-campus. </p> <p>Students who enroll at Georgia Southern University will have the opportunity to participate in over 200 student clubs. Special interest, academic and religious clubs are just a few of many available to join. Georgia Southern University offers students the option to join one of 38 Greek Life chapters. Students can chose from 22 fraternities, 15 sororities and one co-ed organization. Most students who begin their education at Georgia Southern University return for their sophomore year. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i></td><td> Rural *</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Population (2011)</i></td><td>18,802 undergraduates (enrollment and transfer-in enrollment), 2,687 graduate students***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio</i></td><td>50% to 50%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Full-Time Students</i> </td><td>89%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of In-State Students</i></td><td> 95%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of International Students</i></td><td>1%***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Retention Rate</i></td><td> 77%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Housing Available</i></td><td> Yes***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Students Living On Campus</i></td><td> 28%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Libraries</i></td><td>1**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Extracurricular Activities</i></td><td> More than 200 student organizations**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article sources: *College Board, **Georgia Southern University, ***NCES College Navigator, ****US News and World Report.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> P.O. Box 8024, Statesboro, GA 30460 </li><li><i>Phone Number:</i> (912) 478- 5391</li></ul>