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Overall Score: 84.87

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech gets results: The school has a graduation rate of 88%, and students go on to earn median salaries of more than $88,000, according to the federal College Scorecard. These impressive numbers are no accident. Georgia Tech only accepts about a quarter of applicants, and its courses are rigorous. Students have ample opportunities to assist in faculty research, as well as pursue engaging minors like Korean, science fiction studies and naval science. There's plenty to do on campus and in its Atlanta homebase; students can walk to Centennial Olympic Park or check out music festivals like Shaky Knees. Each year, Georgia Tech rents out a Six Flags theme park so that faculty, staff, alumni and friends can enjoy the rides without long lines. ("We have a helluva good time," the school website brags) The school has 17 NCAA Division I teams, but football is particularly revered. Homecoming week for the Yellow Jackets comes with a full lineup of traditions, including a tricycle competition and a foot race that awards cakes to the winners and cupcakes to all participants. Students carry on one of the more intense college football rivalries in the country against the University of Georgia Bulldogs, which they first faced back in 1893. Georgia Tech students are known to describe the attitude toward their rival as "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate."

Costs

Est. full price 2022-2023
$30,600
% of students who get any grants
71%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$18,400
Average price for low-income students
$8,820

Admissions

Acceptance rate
21%
Median SAT/ACT score
1410/32
SAT/ACT required?
Yes
Undergraduate enrollment
15,170

Financial Aid

% of students with need who get grants
92%
% of need met
60%
% of students who get merit grants
34%
Average merit grant
$10,200

Student Success

Graduation rate
87%
Average time to a degree
4.5 years
Median student debt
$22,250
Early career earnings
$88,200
% earning more than a high school grad
89%

Notes: Students who get merit grants are full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants. Graduation rate measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students. Early career earnings are the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers, 10 years after they first enrolled.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, Money/Witlytic calculations.

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