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About Georgia Southwestern

About

A unique blend of tradition and modernity, Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a world-class institution that offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Our campus is located on 400 scenic acres in historic Americus, Georgia, and is teeming with culture, passion, and prestige.

Since 1906, Georgia Southwestern has provided a valuable educational experience for individuals all across Georgia, from each corner of the US, and from countries around the world. That diversity means our students engage with people from all walks of life who are ready to earn their way forward. Our small class sizes foster an emphasis on student interaction between a faculty who prioritizes academic success and a spirited college experience.

GSW students understand that a degree isn’t given, it’s earned – and they know it doesn’t have to come with years of debt. Ranked as one of the most affordable colleges in the nation, Georgia Southwestern is committed to serving the needs of southwest Georgia and beyond.

Enrollment

GSW has approximately 4,017 residential, commuter and online students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, and education.

Degrees & Programs

Affordability

Often ranked one of Georgia's most affordable universities, GSW offers a quality education at a price you can afford with low cost tuition and numerous scholarships.

GSW Affordability

Community

The University’s mission promotes a holistic learning environment for its student body and strong community involvement for students, faculty and staff.

About Americus

Athletics

The GSW Hurricanes compete for the NCAA’s Division II Peach Belt Conference, including teams in basketball, baseball, softball, golf, soccer, tennis, and cross country.

GSW Hurricanes

Campus

Travel down Hello Walk on campus, and you'll notice Georgia Southwestern is marked by elegant landscaping with a mix of magnolias, dogwoods, and southern pines. Long, warm summers and short, mild winters are characteristic of the area's climate - making for pleasant living conditions and year-round recreation.

Architecture

GSW's building landscape is a perfect blend of mid-century modern architecture with traditional brick. This scenery continues to transform through new construction and renovations. Canes Central, the new student services building, was fully renovated and opened in Spring 2021. Additionally, the newly constructed Baseball and Softball Indoor Training Facility opened in early 2021. Florrie Chappell Gymnasium, which opened in Spring 2022, now serves as GSW's student recreation center. Most recently, the Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center completed a full reconstruction in 2025.

Facilities

Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center, located on 148 scenic acres adjacent to Georgia Southwestern's campus, features a public 18-hold golf course and a full-service conference center for meetings, celebrations, and events. Also on campus, the Storm Dome is a large indoor facility that supports athletics, recreation, and campus activities year-round. You can explore our campus further on the Interactive Campus Map.

The University System of Georgia

Georgia Southwestern State University is a member of The University System of Georgia.

The University System of Georgia (USG) is the organizational body that includes 26 public institutions of higher learning in Georgia including four research universities, four comprehensive universities, nine state universities, and nine state colleges. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering Public Library Service of the state. The USG also dispenses public funds (allocated by the state's legislature) to the institutions but not the lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship. The USG is the fourth largest university system in the United States by total student enrollment, with 340,638 students for Fall 2021.