Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs University of Pennsylvania
- Georgetown Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 11
- Pennsylvania Wins
- 30
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Pennsylvania offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,699 vs Georgetown University's $40,815, University of Pennsylvania delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose University of Pennsylvania benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $111,371 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgetown
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Pennsylvania
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Georgetown University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,699, roughly $12,116 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 97% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #109
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); Pennsylvania in Social Sciences (11%). 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 University of Pennsylvania over Georgetown University. Median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment vs $103,494.
Pick University of Pennsylvania over Georgetown University. Net price $28,699 vs $40,815.
Pick University of Pennsylvania over Georgetown University. THE World Rank #109 vs #164.
Pick Georgetown University over University of Pennsylvania. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.8%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and University of Pennsylvania are close on paper, but University of Pennsylvania 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
University of Pennsylvania is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,699, about $12,116 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $15,715.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $48,464 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Pennsylvania leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Pennsylvania graduates report median earnings of $111,371, compared with $103,494 at Georgetown University. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Pennsylvania has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.15x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% 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
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at University of Pennsylvania, it is 1.8%. University of Pennsylvania also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown University 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, University of Pennsylvania sits higher, at #109 versus #164.
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 Pennsylvania to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Georgetown University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while University of Pennsylvania leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions. 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 University of Pennsylvania's $28,699.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Pennsylvania has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Pennsylvania holds onto its admits more tightly: 68% of admitted students enroll, versus 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Pennsylvania offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Pennsylvania, where only about 67% 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) 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.
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the University of Pennsylvania attracts students who are not only academically strong but also deeply passionate about their fields. This school is especially well-suited for those interested in areas like Biology and Biomedical studies, Social Sciences, Health Professions, Computer Science and IT, and Business and Marketing. The vibrant atmosphere of Philadelphia adds an urban edge to the college experience, making it a great fit for students looking to engage in both rigorous academics and lively city life.
Looking at the outcomes, graduates from Penn see significant returns on their investment. With a 10-year earnings average of $111,371, it's clear that a degree from here can open doors to lucrative career paths. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to supporting diverse backgrounds, the high graduation rate of 97% suggests that students who enroll are likely to complete their studies successfully.
Financially, the net price after aid sits at $28,699, which is manageable given the strong earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $15,715, students here can graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive at Penn are often highly motivated, driven, and ready to take advantage of the rich resources and opportunities available within the institution and the surrounding city.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Pennsylvania is featured on the Best Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 36% of Georgetown's student body and 11% of Pennsylvania's.
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 Pennsylvania).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while University of Pennsylvania concentrates in Health Professions, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,699 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more?
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn more: median earnings of $111,371 ten years after enrollment, versus $103,494 at Georgetown University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania?
University of Pennsylvania has the higher graduation rate, 97% versus 95%.
Georgetown University vs University of Pennsylvania: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.8%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Pennsylvania if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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