Graduates

the increase to recent initiatives such as “Momentum Year,” which requires firstyear students to take core math and English courses. Students unprepared for those college-level courses are directed to remedial math and English classes, which the system says has helped their academic performance.

Augusta and Columbus State universities each had double-digit percentage increases in graduation rates in the last five years, state data shows.

Georgia Tech has the highest graduation rate, 90%, with the University of Georgia just one percentage point behind.

University System officials said in a statement they are working on additional efforts to improve the numbers. The system recently completed a draft report of changes to its courses students must take when they enroll.

One goal of the changes is to improve student oral and written communication skills and their mastery of data.

“This increase could not have happened without a laser focus on finding ways to enable more students to earn college credentials of value,” said Tristan Denley, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “But we are certainly not resting on our laurels, as we are continuing to develop and implement innovations to build on these improvements to student success and keep the momentum growing.”

Georgia’s numbers were also boosted by several private colleges and universities.

Emory University, the state’s largest private institution, has a six-year graduation rate of about 90%, federal data shows. Spelman College’s graduation rate, about 75%, is the highest of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities.

The report also shows women had higher completion rates, by about 10 percentage points, and Asian students completed their coursework at higher rates than any racial demographic group.