Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs Santa Clara University
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 15
- Santa Clara Wins
- 14
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 Santa Clara University's $50,062, 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia Technology-Main
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $37,946 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
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Georgia Institute of Technology
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,162, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, 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); Santa Clara in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 Santa Clara University over Georgia Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $102,772.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Santa Clara University. Net price $12,116 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over Georgia Institute of Technology. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Santa Clara University. 93% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and Santa Clara University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Georgia Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while Santa Clara University takes 48%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,426.
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 $37,946 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $151,784 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, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $102,772 at Georgia Institute of Technology. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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
Santa Clara University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at Georgia Institute of Technology, it is 1.9%. Santa Clara University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Santa Clara 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick Santa Clara University 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. Georgia Institute of Technology saves about $37,946 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $6,411 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but Santa Clara University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Santa Clara University leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Georgia Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Santa Clara University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds Santa Clara University's 6,552.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $50,062 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Santa Clara University's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 18% at Santa Clara — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Santa Clara offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgia Technology-Main does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Santa Clara, where only about 34% 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
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.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is featured on the Best Public Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while Santa Clara leads with Business Administration (27%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while Santa Clara University concentrates in Social Sciences, 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 Georgia Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 48% at Santa Clara University.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $102,772 at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs Santa Clara University: which is better for social mobility?
Santa Clara University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Santa Clara 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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