State of the Georgia Girl Report

College and Career Readiness Navigating the school-to-work transition for young people can often feel abrupt, particularly during times of economic or industry turbulence. Entering high school during a period marked by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst the disruptions to learning and increases in life stressors detailed throughout this report, the Class of 2025 enrolled an impressive portion of girls from its graduating class into a post-secondary program . 59% of female graduates enrolled in college within 16 months of graduation – 12 points higher than male graduates. Female graduates also earned 24 college credits within four years at higher rates than their male peers (65% versus 59%), an indicator of sustained engagement in higher education. Among Georgia’s Class of 2025, girls display a higher level of post secondary motivation than their male peers. Georgia Department of Education, C12 Graduation Report, Class of 2025.

Post-Graduation Outcomes – Class of 2025 Enrolled in college within 16 months

Post-Graduation Outcomes – Class of 2025 Earned 24+ credits within 4 years

65%

65%

ACADEMIC WELLNESS OF GEORGIA GIRLS

59%

59%

59%

59%

47%

47%

Female

Male

Enrolled in college within 16 months

Enrolled in college within 16 months

Earned 24+ college credits within 4 years

Earned 24+ college credits within 4 years

Across the country, more young women are enrolling in higher education than men. The Pew Research Center evaluated attitudes and evidence surrounding college completion in 2024, asking, ‘Is it still worth it?’ By several measures, the answer is yes ( Fry, 2024 ). • 78% of young women holding a bachelor’s degree or higher were employed full-time, compared to 69% of young women with only a high school education. • The median household income of young women holding a bachelor’s degree or higher is $65,000 compared to $36,000 among young women with only a high school education. • Young women holding a bachelor’s degree or higher experienced less job loss during the COVID-19 recession than young women completing lower levels of education. By these measures, girls in Georgia are well-positioned to continue building a successful life after completing school, but notable differences emerge as students first select their course of study in college.

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THE 2026 STATE OF THE GEORGIA GIRL REPORT