UCSD vs. Georgia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus in Atlanta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (53,363 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 17:1.

UCSD vs. Georgia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Georgia Tech? 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 University of California San Diego than Georgia Tech ($14,047 vs. $15,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus are 28.3% lower than at University of California San Diego ($13,608 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 39% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Tech (about $4,700 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $12,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at UCSD than at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (about $16,474 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $34,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus than at University of California San Diego (71% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 86.1% larger than aid received by Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus students ($25,757 vs. $13,842).

UCSD vs. Georgia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Georgia Tech? 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 Georgia Tech and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (1460) is 80 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Georgia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 1370/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Georgia Tech - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Georgia Tech Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia Tech students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Georgia Tech (14.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 45.6% at Georgia Tech.

UCSD vs. Georgia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Georgia Tech? 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).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,600 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Georgia Tech graduates ($18,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia Tech graduates ($191 vs. $248).
• More Georgia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

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.