Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus vs Wellesley College
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 18
- Wellesley Wins
- 17
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 Wellesley College's $25,496, 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.
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, 21% more than Wellesley College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,116, roughly $13,380 a year less
Wellesley
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.4%, 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); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Wellesley College. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $84,803.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over Wellesley College. Net price $12,116 vs $25,496.
Pick Wellesley College over Georgia Institute of Technology. 2.4% mobility rate vs 1.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgia Institute of Technology and Wellesley College split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Wellesley College is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while Georgia Institute of Technology takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Wellesley College 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 $13,380 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $53,520 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 $84,803 at Wellesley College. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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.
Moving people up
Wellesley College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.4%; at Georgia Institute of Technology, it is 1.9%. Wellesley College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Wellesley College 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Georgia Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick Wellesley College 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
Their academic identities diverge. Georgia Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Wellesley College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical. 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 $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgia Institute of Technology's enrollment of 18,785 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 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
Wellesley holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at Georgia Technology-Main — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, where only about 62% 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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
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 Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
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 Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgia Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Wellesley College concentrates in Social Sciences, Physical 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 Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 14% at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Georgia Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
Georgia Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,116 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do Georgia Institute of Technology or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,803 at Wellesley College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgia Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 91%.
Georgia Institute of Technology vs Wellesley College: which is better for social mobility?
Wellesley College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.4% versus 1.9%.
Should you choose Georgia Institute of Technology or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Georgia Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wellesley College 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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