Georgia College and State University

What Georgia College and State University does

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university, founded in 1889 and located in Milledgeville, Georgia. The institution operates as a state entity within the University System of Georgia, one of only three selective-admission institutions in the USG alongside Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. GCSU serves approximately 7,300 undergraduate and graduate students drawn from 150 of Georgia's 159 counties, plus international populations, offering 30+ undergraduate majors and 32 graduate programs across five colleges (Business & Technology, Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, and the Sallstrom Honors College), the Graduate School, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

The university delivers education through both in-person and fully online channels, with nationally ranked online graduate programs in nursing (No. 1 in Georgia), business (No. 2 in Georgia), criminal justice (No. 2 in Georgia), and education (No. 5 in Georgia). Its newest product is a Master of Science in AI Strategy launching Fall 2026, a 30-credit fully online program targeting working professionals without computer science backgrounds, integrating hands-on training with enterprise AI platforms including Celonis, SAP, IBM WatsonX, UiPath, and Base44, supported by an industry internship pipeline via Fouts Bros Inc.

GCSU's business model combines in-state tuition ($9,176), out-of-state and graduate tuition at higher rates, state appropriations through the USG, auxiliary services revenue (housing and dining), and external grants including a $1.2M NSF joint award. The institution markets through campus visits, student ambassador programs, digital presence, and earned media, with selectivity supported by outcome metrics including 100% medical school placement in its Pre-Med Mentoring Program (15+ years), 98% education graduate placement within six months, and a No. 1 NCAA Division II public-school academic success rate sustained since 2020. The university has experienced record enrollment and over 10,000 new student applications by April 2026, indicating sustained demand momentum.

Name

Georgia College and State University

Legal name

Georgia College & State University

Website

https://gcsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Georgia College & State University is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university, serving 7,300+ students across 30+ undergraduate and 32 graduate programs in Milledgeville, Georgia, with nationally ranked online graduate degrees and a new M.S. in AI Strategy launching Fall 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Selective/Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAJ), Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online distance learning
• Liberal arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Milledgeville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with in-state tuition at $9,176. Public university within University System of Georgia with state funding support.
2. Grants and Sponsored Projects: External funding from agencies including NSF ($1.2M joint grant with Athens State University and Southern Utah State University) and Georgia Power Rural Business Accelerator Grant ($25,000)
3. Auxiliary Services: Housing (Central Campus residence halls and Village Apartments at West Campus), dining services, Bobcat Card services, parking, and conference services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Georgia College & State University is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five colleges (Business & Technology, Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Honors College) plus the Graduate School and School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The university serves more than 7,300 students from 150 of Georgia's 159 counties with 30+ undergraduate majors, 32 graduate programs, and supporting on-campus housing services. New and ranked offerings include a 30-credit fully online Master of Science in AI Strategy (Fall 2026) and nationally ranked online master's degrees in nursing (#1 in Georgia), business, criminal justice, and education.

Product overview

Georgia College & State University is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university offering a portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The institution's core educational offerings include traditional academic degrees across five colleges (Business & Technology, Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Honors College) plus the Graduate School and School of Continuing and Professional Studies. The newest addition is the Master of Science in AI Strategy (launching Fall 2026), a 30-credit fully online program providing hands-on experience with enterprise AI platforms. The university also offers nationally-ranked online graduate programs in nursing (#1 in Georgia), business (#2), criminal justice (#2), and education (#5). Supporting services include university housing with traditional residence halls and apartment-style living at West Campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Science in AI Strategy A 30-credit, fully online graduate degree program approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. It requires no computer science background and targets working professionals seeking to build AI fluency. Students gain hands-on experience with enterprise AI platforms including Celonis, SAP, IBM WatsonX, UiPath, and Base44, and have access to an internship pipeline with manufacturing partner Fouts Bros Inc.
• Online Master's in Nursing (MSN) Online Master of Science in Nursing degree for working nursing professionals. Ranked No. 1 in Georgia and tied for No. 17 nationally (out of 198 institutions) in U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings of online master's nursing programs.
• Online Master's in Business Online graduate business master's degree for working professionals seeking business expertise. Ranked No. 2 in Georgia and No. 56 nationally (out of 205 schools) by U.S. News & World Report 2025.
• Online Master's in Criminal Justice Online criminal justice graduate degree for professionals advancing in the field. Ranked No. 2 in Georgia and No. 38 nationally (out of 96 programs) by U.S. News & World Report 2025, having gained 23 spots from the prior year.
• Master of Business Administration (WebMBA) Online MBA program for working professionals pursuing advanced business education. Ranked No. 4 in Georgia and 135th nationally out of 355 institutions by U.S. News & World Report 2025.
• Online Master's in Education Online graduate education master's degree for educators advancing in the profession. Tied for No. 5 in Georgia and ranked 85th nationally (out of 313 universities) by U.S. News & World Report 2025.
• Environmental Sciences B.S. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences that prepares students to explore interrelationships between human and natural systems with a hands-on curriculum including internships and research opportunities.
• Computer Science B.S. Undergraduate Computer Science degree program ranked No. 1 (tie) among public regional universities in Georgia and in the top 500 nationally per U.S. News 2025 rankings.
• University Housing Services On-campus housing including Central Campus residence halls (seven buildings) and The Village Apartments at West Campus (two miles away, with shuttle service), providing inclusive residential communities for enrolled students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of education graduates begin teaching or advance to master's study within six months of commencement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fouts Bros Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Manufacturing company in Milledgeville, GA has committed to hiring interns from the new Master of Science in AI Strategy program. This partnership provides practical work experience for students while addressing industry demand for AI-savvy professionals.
• Georgia TechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Dual-degree pathway partnership allowing students interested in engineering careers to pursue studies at both Georgia College and Georgia Tech. Students complete foundational coursework at GCSU before transferring to Georgia Tech for engineering degree completion.
• University System of GeorgiacoreOthers · 18 June 2025GCSU is one of three selective admission institutions in the University System of Georgia, along with Georgia Tech and University of Georgia. State governing body provides funding and oversight.
• Oxford University (Regent's Park College)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Oxford Overseas Study Course program allowing students to study abroad at Regent's Park College, Oxford, UK with courses taught by GCSU faculty.
• Athens State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025Collaborator on $1.2 million NSF Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant to develop industry partnerships for hands-on student learning experiences.
• Southern Utah State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025Collaborator on $1.2 million NSF EPIIC grant to develop industry partnerships for hands-on student learning experiences with interdisciplinary skills.
• Georgia PowerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025Awarded $25,000 Rural Business Accelerator Grant through Georgia Power Economic Development to support local businesses via 15-week intensive program managed by Dr. Nicholas Creel and Create Milledgeville.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Young Harris College: Small private liberal arts college in Georgia where President Cathy Cox previously served as president for a decade. Comparable residential liberal arts model with much smaller scale and higher tuition, illustrating the price-positioning gap GCSU bridges.
• Kennesaw State University: Public Georgia university in the USG system with overlapping online master's programs (tied with GCSU for No. 5 online master's in education in Georgia) and similar scale. Directly comparable in pricing model, governance, and student demographic mix.
• University of North Georgia: USG public university with similar enrollment scale, selective admission characteristics, and residential campus model in North Georgia. Competes head-to-head for in-state Georgia students across undergraduate and online graduate programs.
• Georgia Southern University: USG public university with overlapping online master's rankings (tied No. 5 online master's in education in Georgia) and comparable enrollment scale (~25,000+ students). Direct competitor for in-state Georgia students and online adult learners.
• Mercer University: Private Georgia university where current GCSU President Cathy Cox served as Dean of the Law School (2017–2021). Comparable graduate offerings in business and education, with similar small-class positioning though at higher price point.
• Oxford College of Emory University: Two-year residential liberal arts college within Emory University, located in Georgia. Closest Georgia analog to GCSU's public liberal arts residential model, though at private-university pricing — useful benchmark for the selective liberal arts niche GCSU occupies.
• University of West Georgia: USG public university offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs at similar in-state tuition. Shares the same public-university affordability positioning and competes for the same regional Georgia student pool.

Broad incumbents

• Georgia Institute of Technology: Flagship Georgia tech university with which GCSU holds a dual-degree engineering pathway. Larger scale, stronger brand, and far deeper resources — competes for top STEM students in Georgia and is the leading online master's in computer science provider that GCSU's AI Strategy program must differentiate against.
• University of Georgia: Flagship Georgia public university and one of the three selective-admission USG institutions alongside GCSU. Sets the competitive ceiling for in-state applicants and offers overlapping programs across business, education, and online graduate degrees at scale.

Regional players

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: USG public institution in rural South Georgia with similar small-town campus footprint and in-state tuition model. Comparable on affordability and local economic engagement, though narrower in academic scope than GCSU.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GeorgiaCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/gacollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/32950
• Instagraminstagram.com/georgiacollege
• Xx.com/georgiacollege

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia College and State University