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Moody’s Upgrades Georgian Court University Rating, Citing Student Growth

GCU gate

The most recent Georgian Court University rating from Moody’s Investor Services has climbed to “stable,” thanks to positive shifts in GCU’s economic stance and enrollment outlook.

The university’s stable rating is up from a previous negative outlook and takes into consideration GCU’s increased enrollment, improved cash flows, and growing partnership programs.

“The rating affirmation factors in management’s expense management initiatives as well as its short- and long-term planning, which enables the university to adapt in a highly competitive environment,” Moody’s wrote in its February 10 rating of Georgian Court. “The rating is further supported by healthy, unrestricted financial resources and liquidity for the rating category and a low debt burden.”

The report is especially timely as GCU leaders are completing a new strategic plan to guide continued progress.

“We are very pleased that Moody’s recognizes the significant energy and effort that has gone into our recruitment and resource management processes,” said Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D., president of GCU. “Interest in obtaining a Georgian Court degree has never been higher and will continue to grow as we expand the GCU educational footprint throughout New Jersey.”

Moody’s expects GCU to further strengthen its position financially—with stable operating cash flow and adequate debt service coverage—and through modest enrollment growth. During Fall 2016, GCU enrolled 1,916 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, up from 1,735 a year earlier.

Much of the change is attributed to growing interest in master’s-degree programs for educators—especially through the GCU’s partnership with the K–12 Alliance (KTA). More than 300 are currently taking GCU classes through KTA at GCU off-sites in Essex, Union, Somerset, Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, and Burlington counties. In addition, the university is seeing steady increases among transfer students and more first-time, full-time college students pursuing degrees in fields like nursing, business, biology, and exercise science.

The investment service also cited GCU’s recent $10-million facilities improvement program, which included New Jersey state bond-funded projects and university-funded upgrades to Maria Hall, the largest residence hall on campus. Moody’s also mentioned significant gains in the university’s first-year student retention rate, now at 85 percent and up from 78 percent in 2015.

“This is a very positive step in the right direction,” said Lesa Lardieri-Wright ’75, chair of the GCU Board of Trustees.

“GCU leaders, including President Marbach and CFO John Sommer, are among the many who made this happen by bringing a focused, innovative approach to the challenges, and being willing to do the hard work to make the improved outlook a reality,” she said. “We also appreciate our GCU trustees who serve on the board’s Finance Committee—alongside GCU administration and staff—for their steady guidance and advice over the past few years.”

Aerial view of GCU.

About Georgian Court University

Georgian Court University is a leading regional university that provides a transformative education, preparing students for ethical leadership and service in the Catholic Mercy tradition. Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is Central and South Jersey’s only Catholic university. The university has a strong liberal arts core and a historic special concern for women.

As a forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, GCU is known for expanding possibility for more than 1,900 students of all faiths and backgrounds in 35+ undergraduate majors and 10+ graduate programs. The GCU Lions compete in 16 NCAA Division II sports in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). In 2020, GCU was named a Best Value College by Money.com and a Best Bang for the Buck (Northeast) by Washington Monthly. High student retention and graduation rates make GCU a Top Performer on Social Mobility on U.S. News & World Reports rankings.

The main campus is in Lakewood, New Jersey, on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, also serves students through its Center for Professional Studies, and at other locations, including GCU at Brookdale, and through multiple online degree and certificate programs.

Deposit Deadline Extended to June 1

Georgian Court University has extended the deposit deadline to June 1 in response to the U.S. Department of Education announcement concerning delayed data availability from the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, deposits are also refundable up to June 1. Click here for more information about the deposit extension.