Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs Syracuse University
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 33
- Tied
- 10
- Syracuse Wins
- 9
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 Syracuse University's $38,793, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
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, 30% more than Syracuse University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $26,677 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,672, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #27
Syracuse
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, 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); Syracuse in Social Sciences (13%). 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 Syracuse University. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $79,164.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Syracuse University. Net price $12,116 vs $38,793.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Syracuse University. THE World Rank #27 vs #177.
Pick Syracuse University over Georgia Institute of Technology. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Syracuse University. 93% completion rate vs 82%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and Syracuse University are close on paper, but Georgia Institute of Technology 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while Syracuse University takes 46%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,375.
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 $26,677 a year below Syracuse University's $38,793. Graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $21,672, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $106,708 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 $79,164 at Syracuse University. That is a 30% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.33x.
So what: An earnings gap of 30% 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 82%. 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.
Moving people up
Syracuse University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Georgia Institute of Technology, it is 1.9%. Syracuse University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Syracuse 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, Georgia Institute of Technology sits higher, at #27 versus #177.
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 Syracuse 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but Syracuse University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Syracuse University leans toward Social Sciences, Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Georgia Technology-Main competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $38,793 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Syracuse University's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Syracuse 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.
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.
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit
With nearly 15,500 students, Syracuse University creates a vibrant community for those interested in fields like Communications, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 46% means it's fairly selective, but there's a good chance for dedicated applicants to find their place here. The strong graduation rate of 82% speaks to the supportive environment designed to help students succeed, both academically and personally.
Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn an impressive average of $79,164 within ten years of completing their degrees. This level of earning potential highlights the value of the programs here, especially for those who dive into in-demand fields. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some affordability challenges, the outcomes suggest that many graduates move up the economic ladder, benefiting from the skills and networks developed during their time at Syracuse.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid sits at $38,793, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $26,000 is reasonable for many students, especially when weighed against their post-graduation salaries. Those who thrive here tend to be driven, engaged in campus life, and ready to take advantage of the resources available, setting them up for future success in their careers.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Syracuse University appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ranks #1 — Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus outranks Syracuse University by 8 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while Syracuse leads with Sociology (13%).
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 Syracuse).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while Syracuse University concentrates in Social Sciences, Communications, Visual & Performing Arts. 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 Syracuse University?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 46% at Syracuse University.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or Syracuse University?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $38,793 at Syracuse University.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or Syracuse University graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $79,164 at Syracuse University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or Syracuse University?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 82%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs Syracuse University: which is better for social mobility?
Syracuse University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or Syracuse University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Syracuse 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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