Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Georgia vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Georgia Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 19
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Virginia-Main Campus achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,565 compared to University of Georgia's $13,936. Students who choose University of Georgia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $68,726 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,936, roughly $7,629 a year less
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, 26% more than University of Georgia
- 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
- More selective: Admits 17% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (29% 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 University of Virginia over University of Georgia. Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over University of Virginia. Net price $13,936 vs $21,565.
Pick University of Virginia over University of Georgia. 95% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Georgia and University of Virginia are close on paper, but University of Virginia 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
University of Virginia is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while University of Georgia takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,397 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Virginia 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, University of Georgia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,936, about $7,629 a year below University of Virginia's $21,565. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,516 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Georgia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Virginia graduates report median earnings of $86,863, compared with $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 26% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 26% 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
University of Virginia graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Virginia for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Georgia saves about $7,629 a year, yet University of Virginia graduates earn $18,137 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Georgia concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, while University of Virginia leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Humanities. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Georgia's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Georgia's enrollment of 32,137 far exceeds University of Virginia's 17,597.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,565 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Virginia has less business program depth, and University of Georgia offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Virginia-Main Campus holds onto its admits more tightly: 40% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Georgia — 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 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
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
The University of Georgia has a graduation rate of 89%, indicating strong student persistence and success. This is a significant figure for prospective students evaluating the likelihood of completing their degree.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility statistics are not available for this institution. However, the overall outcomes for graduates suggest a solid earning potential. Alumni report an average income of $68,726 ten years after graduation, reflecting the value of a degree from this university.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable with a net price of $13,936 and a median debt of $18,500. Students who thrive here typically pursue popular programs in Business, Communications, and Biological Sciences. The diverse offerings cater to a range of interests, making it a suitable choice for many.
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
University of Georgia is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia's top program is Business Administration (29% of enrollment), while Virginia-Main Campus leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Georgia) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia-Main Campus).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Georgia is strongest in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Psychology, while University of Virginia concentrates in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Humanities, Engineering. 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 University of Georgia or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 38% at University of Georgia.
Which is more affordable, University of Georgia or University of Virginia?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $21,565 at University of Virginia.
Do University of Georgia or University of Virginia graduates earn more?
University of Virginia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Georgia or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 89%.
Should you choose University of Georgia or University of Virginia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Virginia if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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