Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Purdue University-Main Campus
- Georgetown Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 17
- Purdue University-Main Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Purdue University-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Purdue University-Main Campus's $14,600 for in-state paths. Students who choose Purdue University-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,424 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 43% more than Purdue University
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Purdue University-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,600, roughly $26,215 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); Purdue University-Main in Engineering (25%). 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 Georgetown University over Purdue University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $72,424.
Pick Purdue University over Georgetown University. Net price $14,600 vs $40,815.
Pick Georgetown University over Purdue University. 95% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Purdue University are close on paper, but Georgetown University 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
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Purdue University takes 50%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,364.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown University 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, Purdue University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,600, about $26,215 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $104,860 before any change in aid. Choosing Purdue University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $72,424 at Purdue University. That is a 43% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 43% 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.
Finishing the degree
Georgetown University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 11% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Purdue University to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Purdue University saves about $26,215 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $31,070 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. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Legal Studies, while Purdue University leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Purdue University's $14,600.
- Engineering-focused students: Purdue University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Purdue University's enrollment of 44,503 far exceeds Georgetown University's 7,569.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Purdue University-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 49% of admitted students enroll, versus 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
With an enrollment of over 44,500 students, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a solid choice for those who thrive in a large, dynamic environment. It’s particularly appealing for students interested in engineering, business, computer science, biology, and social sciences. The 50% acceptance rate suggests a competitive atmosphere, and the 83% graduation rate indicates that many students are successfully completing their degrees.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $72,424 after ten years. That’s a significant number, especially for graduates entering fields like engineering and technology. While the cost of attendance is reasonable, the long-term financial outlook is promising, making it clear that a degree from Purdue can lead to solid career opportunities.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid averages around $14,600, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $19,500, students leave with a debt load that is relatively low compared to potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated, ambitious, and ready to take advantage of the university's strong programs and supportive resources.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while Purdue University-Main leads with Mechanical Engineering (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Purdue University-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Legal Studies, while Purdue University concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT. 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.
Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or Purdue University?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 50% at Purdue University.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Purdue University?
Purdue University is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,600 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Georgetown University or Purdue University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,424 at Purdue University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Purdue University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 83%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Purdue University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Purdue University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University 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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