Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 13
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355, 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, 27% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $2,239 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
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Engineering (21%). 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Net price $12,116 vs $14,355.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. THE World Rank #27 vs #33.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 93% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign takes 42%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,440.
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 $2,239 a year below University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355. Graduates of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also borrow less: median debt of $19,500, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,956 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 $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 27% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 27% 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 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Georgia Institute of Technology sits higher, at #27 versus #33.
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.
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.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Georgia Technology-Main competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $14,355 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 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 29% at Illinois Urbana-Champaign — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where only about 56% 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.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
More than 36,000 students choose the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 42%, the university maintains a competitive edge while welcoming a diverse student body. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 85%, indicating a supportive environment for student success.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from Illinois Urbana-Champaign can expect solid economic mobility. The average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation reach $81,054, suggesting that degrees from this university translate into significant financial benefits. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s emphasis on high-demand fields like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science supports upward mobility for many graduates.
Cost considerations are crucial for students. The net price for attending is approximately $14,355, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, a figure that aligns with the financial landscape of public universities. Students who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields or business, benefiting from robust programs and a collaborative campus culture.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign appear together in 6 rankings. On the Best Public Universities, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ranks #1 — Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus outranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by 41 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 21% of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's.
Georgia Technology-Main
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Social Sciences. 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 42% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 85%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
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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