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College Comparison

Penn State vs University of Georgia: Which is Better?

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

School

Penn State

University Park, PA

School

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricPenn StateUGA
Acceptance Rate54.2%37.2%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1220–1400wins1160–1390
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–32wins25–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,188$30,220wins
Avg Net Price$32,598$13,816wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$63,435$68,726wins
Graduation Rate85.7%87.2%wins
Retention Rate92.0%94.5%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio15:1wins17:1
Total Enrollment41,862wins31,310

Verdict

Based on the data above, UGA edges out Penn State on 6 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.

Penn State Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1220–1400
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 27–32
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 15:1
  • Total Enrollment: 41,862

UGA Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 37.2%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $30,220
  • Avg Net Price: $13,816
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $68,726

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