Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University is a public university in Americus, Georgia, and a member of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1906, it offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across fields such as business, education, nursing, arts and sciences, and professional studies. The university serves traditional students as well as adult and online learners, and it competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Hurricanes. Known for its regional focus and strong ties to Southwest Georgia, Georgia Southwestern State University attracts students seeking a smaller campus environment with access to academic programs that prepare graduates for careers in education, healthcare, public service, and business.

Georgia Southwestern State University was founded in 1906 in Americus, Georgia, as the Third District Agricultural and Mechanical School, created to expand educational access in rural Southwest Georgia. The first classes were held in 1907, and the institution initially focused on agricultural and technical training. In 1926, the Georgia General Assembly authorized the school to offer two years of college-level work, and it became the Third District Agricultural and Normal College, with John M. Prance serving as its first president under the new designation. In 1932, the institution joined the newly formed University System of Georgia and was renamed Georgia Southwestern College. It transitioned to a four-year college in 1964 and awarded its first bachelor’s degrees in 1968. Graduate programs began in 1973, and in 1996 the institution adopted its current name, Georgia Southwestern State University, reflecting its expanded academic mission.