Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs University of California-Los Angeles
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 19
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 16
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 University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548, 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, 25% more than University of California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $432 a year less
California-Los Angeles
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). 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 University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of California-Los Angeles. Net price $12,116 vs $12,548.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but Georgia Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of California-Los Angeles is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while Georgia Institute of Technology takes 14%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-Los Angeles 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 $432 a year below University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $1,728 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 $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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.
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 Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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 $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds Georgia Institute of Technology's 18,785.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California-Los Angeles holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% 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.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and University of California-Los Angeles 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 University of California-Los Angeles by 35 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while California-Los Angeles leads with Sociology (25%).
Georgia Technology-Main
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Georgia Technology-Main) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, while University of California-Los Angeles concentrates in Social Sciences, Psychology. 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 14% at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of California-Los Angeles if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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