Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Georgia vs Washington University in St Louis
- Georgia Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 10
- Washington St Wins
- 31
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington University in St Louis achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,786 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 $7,850 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 25% more than University of Georgia
- Higher grad rate: 94% 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 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #38
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (29% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis over University of Georgia. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $13,936 vs $21,786.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over University of Georgia. THE World Rank #38 vs #201-225.
Pick University of Georgia over Washington University in St Louis. 1.1% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over University of Georgia. 94% 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 Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis 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
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while University of Georgia takes 38%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,397 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis 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 $7,850 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $31,400 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, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 25% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 25% 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
Washington University in St Louis graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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 Georgia does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.1%; at Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. University of Georgia also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Georgia 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, Washington University in St Louis sits higher, at #38 versus #201.
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 University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick Washington University in St Louis for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Georgia saves about $7,850 a year, yet Washington University in St Louis graduates earn $17,456 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but University of Georgia posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.1%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Georgia concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Georgia's enrollment of 32,137 far exceeds Washington University in St Louis's 7,857.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,786 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
- Business and consulting-track students: Washington University in St Louis has less business program depth, and University of Georgia offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Georgia — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington St 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 Washington St, where only about 61% 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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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 Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
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 Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Georgia is strongest in Communications, Psychology, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering, 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 University of Georgia or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 38% at University of Georgia.
Which is more affordable, University of Georgia or Washington University in St Louis?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do University of Georgia or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Georgia or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 89%.
University of Georgia vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
University of Georgia is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.1% versus 1%.
Should you choose University of Georgia or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis 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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