Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs University of San Francisco
- Georgetown Wins
- 29
- Tied
- 10
- San Francisco Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgetown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,815 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Georgetown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Georgetown University'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
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than University of San Francisco
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,815, roughly $616 a year less
- 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
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #164
San Francisco
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $89,812.
Pick Georgetown University over University of San Francisco. Net price $40,815 vs $41,431.
Pick Georgetown University over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #164 vs #401-500.
Pick University of San Francisco over Georgetown University. 2.7% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgetown University over University of San Francisco. 95% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,295.
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, Georgetown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,815, about $616 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $2,464 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgetown 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 $89,812 at University of San Francisco. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% 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 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 24% 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.
Moving people up
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Georgetown University, it is 1.9%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco 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, Georgetown University sits higher, at #164 versus #401.
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 Georgetown University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco 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
Georgetown University is harder to get into, with a 13% admit rate, but University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. 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 Social Sciences, Legal Studies, while University of San Francisco leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds University of San Francisco's 5,287.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. San Francisco 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 San Francisco, where only about 42% 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
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 San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgetown University and University of San Francisco appear together in 6 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Work, Georgetown University ranks #6 — Georgetown University outranks University of San Francisco by 25 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Legal Studies, Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology. 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 University of San Francisco?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or University of San Francisco?
Georgetown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,815 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Georgetown University or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,812 at University of San Francisco.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or University of San Francisco?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 71%.
Georgetown University vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgetown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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