Georgia College & State University, the state’s designated public liberal arts university, gained among the elite top 20 universities in the Regional South in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges guidebook released today.

Among all public and private universities in the Regional South – a category that includes universities in 12 states from Arkansas to Virginia – Georgia College is ranked No. 15 overall for Regional Universities South.

“Being sixth among all public regional universities and among the top 20 of all public or private universities in this wide territory of the South reflects the distinctive experience we offer our students,” said GCSU President Cathy Cox. “Our uniquely small class sizes, undergraduate research opportunities, vibrant campus life and exciting D-II athletics combine for a private college experience at a public-school price.”

Georgia College & State University is the only state university in Georgia to make the top 20 as a best public Southern regional university.

For Undergraduate Teaching Programs, Regional South, GCSU rose one spot to fifth overall and is No. 1 among public regional universities in Georgia. To be ranked in this category, universities must “have a strong commitment to teaching undergraduates instead of conducting graduate-level research.”

U.S. News also ranks GCSU on its list of Best Value Schools at No. 49 in the Regional South and No. 3 among public regional universities in the state.

“These rankings show that Georgia College students benefit from our contemporary liberal arts education and graduate exceptionally well prepared for their careers with skills like critical thinking, problem solving and communication abilities,” said Cox. “Interest in Georgia College is at an all-time high. Applications to GCSU have grown 44% since Fall 2022 and the 2024-2025 academic year marks our largest overall enrollment ever.”