Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 20
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Virginia-Main Campus achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,565 compared to Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's $12,116. 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.
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, 18% more than University of Virginia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $9,449 a year less
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia Technology-Main graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); Virginia-Main Campus in Social Sciences (13%). 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 Virginia. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $86,863.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of Virginia. Net price $12,116 vs $21,565.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Virginia 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
Georgia Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of Virginia takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,480.
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 $9,449 a year below University of Virginia's $21,565. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,796 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 $86,863 at University of Virginia. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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, Business & Marketing, while University of Virginia leans toward Social Sciences, Humanities. 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 $17,500 at University of Virginia.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,565 runs well above Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116.
- Engineering-focused students: Georgia Institute of Technology has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 40% at Virginia-Main Campus — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Virginia-Main Campus 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 Virginia-Main Campus, where only about 6% 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 Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, the University of Virginia-Main Campus attracts students who are ready for an academically rigorous environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in a wide range of disciplines, particularly in humanities, social sciences, engineering, business, and computer science. Students here are not just looking for a degree; they’re aiming for a transformative college experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students typically see solid returns on their investment. With a median earning of $86,863 ten years post-graduation, many graduates find themselves in a stable financial position. The affordable net price of $21,565 means that with careful planning and support, students can graduate with manageable debt, averaging around $17,500. This financial outlook is encouraging, especially for those who may worry about student loans impacting their future.
Ultimately, the practical aspects of attending UVA-Main Campus play a crucial role in student success. With a supportive environment, it’s a place where driven students can thrive, particularly those who are proactive about taking advantage of the resources available. This community fosters not just academic excellence but also personal growth, making it a smart choice for those ready to engage deeply in their education.
Rankings They Appear On
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and University of Virginia-Main Campus 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 Virginia-Main Campus by 36 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia Technology-Main's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while Virginia-Main Campus leads with Sociology (13%).
Georgia Technology-Main
Virginia-Main Campus
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 Virginia-Main Campus).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Virginia concentrates in Social Sciences, Humanities. 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 Virginia?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 17% at University of Virginia.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Virginia?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $21,565 at University of Virginia.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Virginia graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,863 at University of Virginia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 93%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or University of Virginia?
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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