As part of Georgia Tech’s bold commitment to becoming a national leader in outcomes and value for all students, the Institute continues to invest in the systems, experiences, and support that help students thrive from their first semester through graduation. These efforts have continued to yield results and demonstrate a campuswide strategy to ensure each student has the opportunity to succeed, even as colleges nationwide face declining enrollment.
This past academic year, Georgia Tech conferred over 13,000 degrees, 4,874 of which were undergraduate degrees, marking steady progress toward its goal of 15,000 overall annual graduates by 2030 and reinforcing the Institute’s long-term commitment to expanding access and encouraging degree completion (Big Bet Nos. 1 and 2).
Undergraduate Graduation and Retention Rates Remain Strong
74.9% of the Fall 2021 first-year cohort graduated in four years, up from 70% for the previous cohort. Additionally, 93.5% of the Fall 2019 cohort completed their degrees within six years. Both graduation rates are points of pride for Georgia Tech, as it continues to maintain the high graduation numbers which the Institution has become known for.
Retention rates for first-year students also remain consistently high and are a testament to the support systems in place for incoming students. The first-to-second-year retention rate for the Fall 2024 freshman cohort was 97.3%.
Investing in Positive Student Outcomes
“Earlier this year, the Office of Undergraduate Education became the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success — a change that underscores Georgia Tech’s deep commitment to removing barriers, strengthening support, and ensuring every student has a clear pathway to graduation,” said Steven Girardot, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success. “Elevating ‘student success’ in our division’s name reinforces the work happening across campus to help all students thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”
Georgia Tech’s continued success in graduation and retention rates reflects a holistic approach to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. High-impact practices (HIPs) such as co-ops, internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, community-based learning, and innovation projects remain central to the undergraduate experience. These hands-on opportunities help students make meaningful connections between coursework and real-world applications, fostering academic excellence, career readiness, and personal growth.
Over the past year, Georgia Tech has strengthened its academic support ecosystem through expanded tutoring programs with Knack and the launch of Navigate360, a new advising platform that enables more proactive, personalized guidance. These enhancements reinforce a campus culture of care and collaboration that helps students stay on track, connect with resources, and make informed decisions throughout their academic journeys. Looking ahead, the Institute is developing new initiatives to better serve transfer and continuing students, with a focus on providing all learners — regardless of when they begin their Tech experience — with access to the same level of support and opportunity. These collective efforts underscore Georgia Tech’s commitment to empowering students to succeed as leaders in progress and service, continuing to achieve outcomes that far exceed national benchmarks.
For more information about student success initiatives at Georgia Tech, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success website.
