Atlanta - November 3, 2017

Enrollment at Gordon State College increased 2.2 percent while enrollment within the University System of Georgia's 28 colleges and universities showed an increase of 1.1 percent over fall 2016.

The enrollment numbers were released Friday.

This fall's enrollment continues a trend, for four years in a row, of modest increases in student enrollment in the University System of Georgia.

"While enrollment has continued to grow, the University System of Georgia has been focused on students completing college and has increased the number of students annually earning degrees for six consecutive years," said Chancellor Steve Wrigley. "Ensuring more Georgians enter the workforce with a college credential is a key priority for the University System of Georgia, and through the Complete College Georgia initiative we have increased the number of students annually earning degrees by 18 percent, from 54,000 in 2011 to almost 65,000 in 2017."

The enrollment numbers were released in the System's "Fall 2017 Semester Enrollment Report," which breaks down enrollment by institution, class, race and ethnicity, in-state, out-of-state and international students, as well as gender and age.

Dual enrollment, which allows students to earn college credit while in high school, increased from 10,352 students in fall 2016 to 11,536 students in fall 2017, an 11.4 percent increase. Graduate programs also contributed to the fall 2017 enrollment increase with 49,517 students enrolled, which is a 6.8 percent increase over fall 2016.

Meanwhile, enrollment patterns varied by the institutions of the University System of Georgia. Enrollment increased at 15 institutions, decreased at 12 institutions and held steady at one.

The full enrollment report, including numbers for Gordon State College is available at http://www.usg.edu/news/release/university_system_of_georgia_enrollment_increases_to_all_time_peak