UGA reports record graduation and retention rates

May 5, 2017, Athens - Students cheer during the University of Georgia's undergraduate commencement ceremony at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, May 5, 2017. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)

Credit: David Barnes

Credit: David Barnes

May 5, 2017, Athens - Students cheer during the University of Georgia's undergraduate commencement ceremony at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, May 5, 2017. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)

The University of Georgia is retaining and graduating students at record rates, according to data it released Wednesday.

Two-thirds of its students are graduating within four years and 85 percent are graduating within six years, UGA reported. The university’s freshman student retention rate is now 96 percent, one percentage point higher than its prior high, officials said.

UGA believe its efforts to ensure each student has engaged in internships, study abroad and service-learning have resulted in higher levels of academic engagement. Administrators also believe online learning has helped, saying a record 16,447 students took summer courses in 2017, and 28 percent of those enrollments were online.

UGA recruited 56 new faculty members last year and has a plan to hire more faculty this academic year that officials believe will improve student performance.