Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs University of Georgia
- Boston Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 10
- Georgia Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Boston College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,704 compared to University of Georgia's $13,936 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Georgia's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 51% more than University of Georgia
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 16% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #161
Georgia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,936, roughly $27,768 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Georgia in Business & Marketing (29%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Boston College over University of Georgia. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over Boston College. Net price $13,936 vs $41,704.
Pick Boston College over University of Georgia. THE World Rank #161 vs #201-225.
Pick Boston College over University of Georgia. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and University of Georgia are close on paper, but Boston College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Boston College is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while University of Georgia takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,397.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Georgia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,936, about $27,768 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of University of Georgia also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $111,072 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Georgia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 51% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 51% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Boston College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at University of Georgia, it is 1.1%. University of Georgia also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Boston College sits higher, at #161 versus #201.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Georgia saves about $27,768 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $35,211 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while University of Georgia leans toward Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,704 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Georgia's enrollment of 32,137 far exceeds Boston College's 10,085.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston holds onto its admits more tightly: 43% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Georgia — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Boston offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgia does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Boston, where only about 45% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
The University of Georgia has a graduation rate of 89%, indicating strong student persistence and success. This is a significant figure for prospective students evaluating the likelihood of completing their degree.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility statistics are not available for this institution. However, the overall outcomes for graduates suggest a solid earning potential. Alumni report an average income of $68,726 ten years after graduation, reflecting the value of a degree from this university.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable with a net price of $13,936 and a median debt of $18,500. Students who thrive here typically pursue popular programs in Business, Communications, and Biological Sciences. The diverse offerings cater to a range of interests, making it a suitable choice for many.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Georgia is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of Boston's student body and 29% of Georgia's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Georgia).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Social Sciences, while University of Georgia concentrates in Communications. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston College or University of Georgia?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 38% at University of Georgia.
Which is more affordable, Boston College or University of Georgia?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or University of Georgia graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or University of Georgia?
Boston College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 89%.
Boston College vs University of Georgia: which is better for social mobility?
Boston College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1.1%.
Should you choose Boston College or University of Georgia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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