Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs Texas A&M University-College Station
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 18
- Texas A&M Wins
- 7
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 Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315, 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, 43% more than Texas A&M University-College Station
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $9,199 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
Texas A&M
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,804, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); Texas A&M in Engineering (17%). 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 Texas A&M University-College Station. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $72,097.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Texas A&M University-College Station. Net price $12,116 vs $21,315.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Texas A&M University-College Station. 93% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University-College Station 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 Texas A&M University-College Station takes 57%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,280.
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 $9,199 a year below Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315. Graduates of Texas A&M University-College Station also borrow less: median debt of $17,804, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $36,796 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 $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. That is a 43% 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 43% 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 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Texas A&M University-College Station leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,672, against $17,804 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
- Business and consulting-track students: Georgia Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Texas A&M University-College Station offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,315 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment of 59,615 far exceeds Georgia Institute of Technology's 18,785.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Texas A&M — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Texas A&M, where only about 95% 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.
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students, Texas A&M University-College Station is a bustling hub for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions. This diverse community suits students who thrive in a large, spirited environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented education. The 57% acceptance rate indicates a competitive yet accessible admissions process, welcoming a broad range of students keen on making an impact in their chosen fields.
When it comes to life after graduation, the figures speak volumes. Graduates earn an impressive average of $72,097 in their first decade, reflecting the solid return on investment that comes with a degree from Texas A&M. This earning potential, coupled with a graduation rate of 84%, illustrates that many students not only complete their degrees but also step into well-paying jobs. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is also working to support students from diverse financial backgrounds.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,315, which is manageable considering the earning prospects. The median debt of $17,804 is reasonable, especially when weighed against the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a collaborative and energetic college culture, preparing them well for their careers ahead.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Texas A&M University-College Station appear together in 3 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ranks #1 — Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus outranks Texas A&M University-College Station by 15 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 42% of Georgia Technology-Main's student body and 17% of Texas A&M's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Texas A&M).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Texas A&M University-College Station concentrates in Health Professions. 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.
Georgia Technology-Main
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgia Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 57% at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $21,315 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 84%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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