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College Comparison

Georgia Tech vs Penn State: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Georgia Tech

Atlanta, GA

School

Penn State

University Park, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricGeorgia TechPenn State
Acceptance Rate16.5%wins54.2%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1330–1530wins1220–1400
ACT Range (25th–75th)28–34wins27–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$32,876wins$40,188
Avg Net Price$13,289wins$32,598
Median Earnings (10 yr)$102,772wins$63,435
Graduation Rate92.3%wins85.7%
Retention Rate97.7%wins92.0%
Student–Faculty Ratio18:115:1wins
Total Enrollment18,26041,862wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Georgia Tech edges out Penn State on 8 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Georgia Tech Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 16.5%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1330–1530
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 28–34
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $32,876

Penn State Strengths

  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 15:1
  • Total Enrollment: 41,862

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