Institution Details

Georgia Highlands College

Georgia Highlands College is a two-year college of the University System of Georgia serving students who commute from throughout a large portion of northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Located in the northwest Georgia foothills of Rome, the college is positioned to serve this community of 80,000, which is well-regarded as the medical and educational hub of North- west Georgia.

More than 3,500 academic students and 5,000 continuing education students attend Georgia Highlands College annually. The average enrollment per semester is currently 2,200. The majority of students are women and the average age of the student body is 25 years old. Most students hail from Floyd County, but the college also draws from the surrounding counties of Bartow, Polk and Cobb. Students from Tennessee and Alabama also are attracted to attend the institution.

The central campus sits on 226 wooded acres, with a scenic 56-acre lake where students jog, picnic and study. Students also can take advantage of off-campus instruction at sites in Cartersville, Acworth and in Haralson County.

Highland's students are enrolled in 57 transfer and career programs leading to two-year associate degrees, many in health care fields. The college's most popular majors are nursing, business and education. The nursing program has educated more than 1,200 nurses and has received state commendation for its outstanding pass record on the national licensing exam. The college offers cooperative programs with Coosa Valley Tech and North Metro Tech.

Georgia Highlands College also has been recognized for its leadership in incorporating new technology into the learning process. It was one of the first two-year colleges in the country to lease laptop computers to all students for extensive use in and outside the classroom.

Students may participate in an array of extra-curricular programs, including academic and social organizations, student media and intramurals.

Floyd College was established in 1968 by the University System of Georgia. The citizens of Floyd County provided initial support for the college by approving local bond issues for construction. The first classes were held in 1970. In April 2005, Floyd College became Georgia Highlands College.