History
The history of Georgia State University began in 1913 when it was founded as the Georgia Institute of Technology's "Evening School of Commerce." Holding classes in rented space in downtown Atlanta, the School moved its location several times to surroundings that could accommodate the increasing enrollment.
Education
With six campuses throughout metro Atlanta, the university provides its world-class faculty and more than 54,000 students with unsurpassed connections to the opportunities available in one of the 21st century’s great global cities.
Research
Georgia State University ranks among the nation’s top 115 public and private universities in the Carnegie Foundation’s elite category of Research Universities/Very High Research Activity. This category represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-granting universities in the U.S.
The Carnegie classification has been the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education for the past four decades. The very high research activity designation further confirms that Georgia State is competing with the Nation’s top universities.
Student services
Lounges, food courts and a student-run movie theater offer patrons several ways to relax and socialize in the Student Center. The center also houses student organization offices and numerous offices and programs to serve students and the campus community.
Housing services
On campus, the living’s easy. Whether you feel most at home in one of our traditional residence halls, in Greek housing with your sorority or fraternity or in an intimate Living-Learning Community with like-minded peers, there’s a place for you here.
As you get to know Atlanta and Georgia State’s campus, our six cozy and amenity-rich communities will make you feel right at home. Campus’ walkability offers quick access to key attractions, PantherDining halls and recreation, and an opportunity to soak up our bustling city’s beauty and charm.Library services
The University Library of today is a platform for discovery, creativity, and innovation. A “platform” where people from different walks of life come together can facilitate “collisions” of ideas that lead to new insight, and that “spark” innovation. We aim to provide this kind of a place – both online and in our six library facilities.
ICT services
Visit the new IIT Technology Service Desk system for technology help and to contact the technology help center.
Medical services
Welcome to Georgia State University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) page. Georgia State provides comprehensive, affordable health insurance for our eligible students and their dependents. Our plan complies with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Campus life
Alpharetta Campus is a thriving and diverse campus initially opened in 2000. In 2010, course offerings were expanded to include all academic areas, including 2000-level classes and additional day and evening courses.
The Clarkston Campus is one of the most culturally diverse in the University System of Georgia, with students from more than 150 countries.
The Dunwoody Campus sits on 100 acres in a residential district of north DeKalb County, where the college has developed a strong reputation as a community partner and institution for higher learning.
Sports facilities
ATLANTA—Georgia State University will name its football field at Georgia State Stadium in honor of Parker H. "Pete" Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx Group, successful entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the university, who has made a $10 million gift to the university to support the Athletics program.
Student clubs
Make the most of your academic experience by participating in a student organization or club at the Robinson College of Business. Your participation in clubs gives you opportunities to build strong ties with other students, faculty and practitioners in your field while gaining recognition and improving your leadership skills.
Accreditation
Georgia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award associate’s, baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctorate degrees.
Georgia State University Overview
Georgia State University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 7.4% United States
Top 7.3% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
World University Rankings
501
By Times Higher Education
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 501 | 501 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
588
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 28 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 504 | 560 | 588 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
601
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Dropped 100 places compared to 2024
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 501 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
781
By TopUniversities
Climbed 70 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 851 | 851 | 781 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Georgia State University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
United States Country
Atlanta City
Georgia State University Student Reviews & Awards
4.3
Based on 60 reviews
- 5 Star 24 Reviews
- 4 Star 31 Reviews
- 3 Star 4 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.3
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.3
- Quality of Student Life 4.3
- Career Development 4.0
Core classes suck, neuroscience is awesome
The issue of needing classes that have nothing to do with your career interests or degree pathway is something that plagues all American universities. It took me quite a long time to reach more neuroscience coursework- but once I did I was reinvigorated by my education and my passion for science returned. An amazing, uplifting faculty in the Neuroscience Institute and peers who I find intelligent and thoughtful have made my final year in the Neuroscience Institute memorable and delightful. Georgia State's program has many different pathways in neuroscience, allowing a student to explore their interests and become well-rounded.
Better than expected
GSU was my backup school when applying to college, but it's where I ended up. However, I think I was granted better opportunities here than I would have gotten anywhere else in Georgia. There are lots of research opportunities, extracurriculars, and most of the faculty I've encountered are genuinely passionate (can't say the same for the administrative staff, though). If you get the Hope/Zell scholarship or some other significant scholarship, I recommend giving GSU a shot.
My thoughts
The campus is in the small town of Americus, Georgia. It is about 2 hours south of Atlanta and the community is really good. I would recommend for anyone that loves a small town vibe to attend this school.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
-
Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
-
Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
-
Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?