Georgia College vs. Life University

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA with Life University in Marietta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia College & State University is larger than Life University based on total student enrollment (7,097 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia College & State University is located in Milledgeville, GA (Distant Town setting); Life University is in Marietta, GA (Small City setting).
• Georgia College & State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia College & State University 17:1; Life University 15:1.

Georgia College vs. Life University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia College or Life University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia College & State University than Life University ($21,632 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia College & State University are 17.2% lower than at Life University ($12,302 vs. $14,850).
• Life University is 63.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia College (about $5,850 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $9,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.3% higher at Georgia College than at Life University (about $14,476 more per year; $29,512.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia College & State University than at Life University (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Georgia College & State University students ($11,292 vs. $8,673).

Georgia College vs. Life University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia College or Life University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Life University and Georgia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia College & State University (1150) is 120 points higher than at Life University (1030).
• Incoming Georgia College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 1070/1230; Life University 920/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia College & State University 22/26; Life University 17/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia College - Required; Life University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Georgia College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.5% at Georgia College vs. 42.1% at Life University.

Georgia College vs. Life University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia College and Life University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Georgia College & State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Life University's (52%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Georgia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $13,666 lower median loan debt than Georgia College graduates ($8,334 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $141 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia College graduates ($86 vs. $227).
• More Georgia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.