Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs New Jersey Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 33
- Tied
- 9
- New Jersey Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $12,116 vs New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,772 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia Technology-Main
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $4,388 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #27
New Jersey
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 6.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); New Jersey in Computer Science & IT (33%). 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 Georgia Institute of Technology over New Jersey Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $84,276.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over New Jersey Institute of Technology. Net price $12,116 vs $16,504.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over New Jersey Institute of Technology. THE World Rank #27 vs #350-400.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over Georgia Institute of Technology. 6.5% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over New Jersey Institute of Technology. 93% completion rate vs 73%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and New Jersey Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Georgia Institute of Technology 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while New Jersey Institute of Technology takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,337.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgia Institute of Technology 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, Georgia Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,116, about $4,388 a year below New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504. Graduates of New Jersey Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $21,000, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $17,552 before any change in aid. Choosing Georgia Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $102,772, compared with $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 73%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 20% 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
New Jersey Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 6.5%; at Georgia Institute of Technology, it is 1.9%. New Jersey Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 10.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, New Jersey Institute of Technology 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, Georgia Institute of Technology sits higher, at #27 versus #350.
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 Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick New Jersey Institute of Technology 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but New Jersey Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 6.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds New Jersey Institute of Technology's 9,019.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $16,504 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 17% at New Jersey — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at New Jersey, where only about 43% 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
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology has an impressive graduation rate of 93%, showcasing its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, a critical factor for anyone considering their future at this institution.
Graduates from Georgia Tech see significant financial returns, earning a median salary of $102,772 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential underscores the effectiveness of the education provided, particularly in high-demand fields like engineering and computer science. The school plays an important role in enhancing economic mobility, although specific rates for low-income students are not available.
With a net price of $12,116 and a median debt of $21,672, Georgia Tech presents a financially manageable option for many students. Those who thrive here are typically driven, with a focus on STEM fields, and come from diverse backgrounds. The competitive acceptance rate of 14% reflects the school's selectivity, attracting students who are ready to engage in rigorous academic challenges.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · Public
With nearly 9,020 students, New Jersey Institute of Technology is a great fit for those pursuing careers in fields like engineering, computer science, business, and the arts. The 65% acceptance rate means there's a decent chance of getting in, especially for students who are dedicated to their studies and have a solid application. What stands out here is the strong emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications, making it a solid option for anyone looking to dive straight into a career after graduation.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates can expect to earn around $84,276 within ten years of completing their degree. This level of earning potential is significant, especially when you consider how affordable this school is compared to others. With a median debt of $21,000, students graduate with a manageable financial load, allowing many to move up in their careers without being bogged down by excessive loans.
In terms of the practical bottom line, the net price after aid is about $16,504, which is reasonable for a public institution. This affordability, combined with the strong earning potential, means that students who tend to thrive here are typically those committed to their fields and eager to apply their learning in practical settings. With a diverse range of programs and a supportive environment, NJIT is well-suited for students ready to take the next step in their educational journey.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and New Jersey Institute of Technology appear together in 3 rankings. On the Best Public Universities, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ranks #1 — Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus outranks New Jersey Institute of Technology by 27 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while New Jersey leads with Computer Science (33%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for New Jersey).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgia Institute of Technology or New Jersey Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 65% at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or New Jersey Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $16,504 at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or New Jersey Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or New Jersey Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 73%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs New Jersey Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 6.5% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or New Jersey Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose New Jersey Institute of Technology 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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