Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs University of San Francisco
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 32
- Tied
- 11
- San Francisco Wins
- 11
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 San Francisco's $41,431, 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.
54 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, 14% more than University of San Francisco
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $29,315 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
San Francisco
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, 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); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 San Francisco. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $89,812.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. Net price $12,116 vs $41,431.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #27 vs #401-500.
Pick University of San Francisco over Georgia Institute of Technology. 2.7% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. 93% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and University of San Francisco 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 University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,295.
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 $29,315 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $21,672, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $117,260 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 $89,812 at University of San Francisco. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgia Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.21x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 23% 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
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Georgia Institute of Technology, it is 1.9%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco 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 #401.
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 University of San Francisco 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 University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. 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 University of San Francisco leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Georgia Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds University of San Francisco's 5,287.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of San Francisco's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. San Francisco 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. Test scores matter less at San Francisco, where only about 42% 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) 6 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 San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is featured on the Best Public Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Georgia Technology-Main
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 San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, 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.
Georgia Technology-Main
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgia Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,812 at University of San Francisco.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 71%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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