Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs The University of Texas at Austin
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 9
- Texas Austin Wins
- 18
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 The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857, 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, 37% more than The University of Texas at Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $7,741 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
Texas Austin
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,500, 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); Texas Austin in Engineering (10%). 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 The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over The University of Texas at Austin. Net price $12,116 vs $19,857.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over The University of Texas at Austin. THE World Rank #27 vs #29.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Georgia Institute of Technology. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over The University of Texas at Austin. 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 The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin takes 27%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,395.
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 $7,741 a year below The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857. Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin also borrow less: median debt of $20,500, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,964 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 $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 37% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 37% 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
The University of Texas at Austin 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%. The University of Texas at Austin also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, The University of Texas at Austin 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 #29.
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 The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin leans toward Biology & Biomedical. 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 $19,857 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Georgia Institute of Technology's 18,785.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Texas Austin holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Georgia Technology-Main — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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.
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin by 9 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 10% of Texas Austin's.
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 Texas Austin).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while The University of Texas at Austin concentrates in 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 The University of Texas at Austin?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 27% at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or The University of Texas at Austin?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or The University of Texas at Austin?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 88%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs The University of Texas at Austin: which is better for social mobility?
The University of Texas at Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose The University of Texas at Austin 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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