University of Georgia

As the flagship university in the state, the University of Georgia (UGA) is located on a vast 759-acre campus in the heart of Athens, Georgia. First established in 1785, the University of Georgia became the first state-chartered university in the United States. Not only is it the oldest and largest of higher education institutions in Georgia, it claims the title of the oldest public university in the entire nation with the College of William and Mary and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Today, the campus has been named as a protected historical district by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Offering more than 140 degree programs in a wide range of fields and levels, the University of Georgia is now home for more than 34,450 students and 2,850 faculty members. All of the programs have been fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as part of the University System of Georgia. UGA has been classified as a land, sea, and space grant research university with very high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement for Teaching. It is also one of only 126 member institutions that are included within the Association of Research Libraries.

According to the 2014 edition of the U.S. News and World Report survey, UGA is the 60th best college and 20th top public school in the country. The university ranks in the top 50 for its programs in education, biological engineering, law, biological sciences, theoretical chemistry, clinical psychology, fine arts, pharmacy, political science, public health, social work, sociology, and veterinary medicine. Of particular note, the renowned UGA Public Affairs program is ranked as the 4th best in the nation.

Affectionately nicknamed as the Georgia Bulldogs, the intercollegiate sports teams compete within the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Since founding the SEC more than 120 years ago, the university has brought home 130 conference championships and 39 national championships in various sports. Named as one of the 25 fittest universities in America by Men's Fitness magazine, UGA is home to the Ramsey Student Center that is considered one of the largest recreation facilities in the nation.

The University of Georgia has a strong alumni network of more than 275,000 Bulldogs worldwide that includes 25 Georgia governors, 18 presidents or provosts of U.S. colleges or universities, and nine Pulitzer Prize winners. Some of the most notable alumni include Founding Father Abraham Baldwin, nuclear physicist Eugene T. Booth, country singer Jason Aldean, sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr., actress Kim Basinger, television personality Ryan Seacrest, and celebrity chef Alton Brown.