About Piedmont
You Matter Here
Nestled in beautiful northeast Georgia, we are a university that caters to dynamic, adventurous, and driven students from right here in our backyard – as well as from around the globe.
Founded in 1897, Piedmont is a comprehensive liberal arts institution offering a variety of career-oriented majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing.
When you come to Piedmont, you will join a community that cares for you as an individual. Led by committed and expert professors, advisors, and coaches, we get to know what drives you. Because of our small class sizes, we get to fully invest in you. The result is a comprehensive education that focuses on meeting your individual needs.
Are you ready to be pushed to new heights? If so, come to Piedmont, and be a Lion, not a number.
Where We Succeed
Piedmont offers three routes to student success – through our campuses in Demorest and Athens, or via online study. Each offers a unique pathway, and all three are tailored to meet specific needs so that you can design an educational pathway that makes the most sense for your goals. Learn more about what sets Demorest, Athens, and our online communities apart.
Piedmont At a Glance
Programs of study, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and the Education Specialist degree.
Colleges, including the Harry H. Walker College of Business, R.H. Daniel College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences
Student-to-faculty ratio; second lowest ratio in Georgia among schools with at least 1,000 undergraduate students
average class size
Student clubs and organizations
Intercollegiate sports teams competing in NCAA Division III
First-Time, Full-Time Students Receiving Financial Aid
in Institutional Scholarships and Grants Awarded by Piedmont Each Year
The Average Scholarship & Grant Award for First-Time, Full-Time Students
of students receive financial aid
of students live on campus
students who participate in our annual Symposium (research day)
Recognizable Results
Our students love their time with us, but they aren’t the only ones that notice the Piedmont University difference. Check out a few of our most recent rankings and recognitions:
#2 Best Value in Georgia
(2025, U.S. News & World Report)
#3 Best Small Colleges in Georgia
(2024, niche.com)
#3 Safest Campus in Georgia
(2024, niche.com)
TOP 5 in ROI Among Georgia’s Private, Non-Profit Institutions
(2024, Georgetown University)
#1 in Teacher Placement in Georgia
(Governor’s Office on Student Achievement)
#26 Forensic Science Program in the U.S.
(study.com)
The Piedmont Experience
We realize a successful collegiate experience requires a balance of several factors – including academics, experience, and atmosphere. That’s why we strive to create a well-rounded environment on all our campuses, because we want to stoke your adventurous spirit and creative fire wherever possible.
At Piedmont, relationships make all the difference. Here, you will be guided, shaped and challenged by a small community of professors, advisors, coaches, and peers. You will be individually known and invested in. And you will love our small class sizes, where you'll collaborate between departments and really get to know your classmates. Pursue what inspires you in a vibrant culture where we celebrate, encourage and serve each other. Whether you compete, explore or perform, you'll be surrounded by a campus community whose enthusiasm is contagious.
Find Your Passion
Piedmont also gives you plenty of options to pursue your passions outside of the classroom. Whether it’s our top-level athletics, our immersive study abroad program, a vibrant theatre and performance scene, or beyond, you will find something to inspire and ignite you at Piedmont.
Consecutive DIII Commissioner’s Cups (Given annually to the top athletic program in USA South)
Take part in study abroad each year
Of students participate in ensembles, productions, and plays
Free community concerts, recitals, plays, and art exhibits each year
Meet President Marshall Criser
Marshall Criser is the 14th President of Piedmont University. President Criser's illustrious career includes serving as chancellor of Florida's university system for eight years where he led the system to a No. 1 ranking in the nation. Prior to serving as chancellor, President Criser was a distinguished business leader as president of AT&T Florida.
Interested in learning more about Piedmont?
There are plenty of ways to get to know us better and see what makes Piedmont different. Let us show you more.