Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, Georgia · Public · 14.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 97/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Georgia Tech scores a 97 (Exceptional Value) - the top tier under our methodology - as a specialized public research university in Atlanta, GA with 18,785 undergraduates. The payback period is 2.8 years. Average 6-year earnings of $66,100 (median $102,772 at 10 years), 94.0% completion rate, and median debt of $21,672 produce an ROI case built almost entirely on speed-to-payback. The in-state/out-of-state split: Georgia residents pay $12,058 in tuition with a net price averaging $12,116; out-of-state students pay $34,484 - a gap of $22,426. Even at out-of-state rates, Georgia Tech's earnings premium raw score is 1.398. The catch: Georgia Tech is a STEM-first school. Computer and Information Sciences (1,070 graduates) leads at $105,137 year-one and $150,628 year-four. Industrial Engineering (346 graduates, $87,826 year-one), Mechanical Engineering (437 graduates, $78,862 year-one), and Aerospace Engineering (224 graduates, $79,300 year-one) are the volume programs. Students who are not genuinely committed to STEM will find limited academic options and a campus culture that reflects an engineering-first identity. The 14.1% admit rate is selective; the SAT 690-790 Math range reflects a technical applicant pool.
Graduates recoup their total investment in just 2.8 years. The median across the schools we score is about 12 years.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,058/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,484/yr |
| Average net price | $12,116/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $48,464 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $102,772 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $66,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,672 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $230 |
| Estimated payback period | 2.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 94.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,785 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $12,058/year ($34,484/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $12,116/year, or roughly $48,464 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $7,666/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,396/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,672, which works out to about $230 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($66,100) and comes to 0.33, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,666 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,209 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,818 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,088 |
| $110,001+ | $17,396 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $7,666 per year net price. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually pays less - $7,209 - a slight anomaly in the data suggesting aid packages that equalize cost across the lowest two income brackets. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship (merit-based, available to Georgia residents with qualifying GPAs) can further reduce costs for eligible students. At $7,209-$7,666/year, GT's payback period is 2.8 years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $10,818 per year; the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $15,088. Middle-income Georgia residents accumulate roughly $43,000-$60,000 in total net cost - recouped inside of a single year at median earnings. The HOPE Scholarship, if applicable, reduces these figures further for qualifying Georgia residents.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $17,396 per year - approximately $69,000 over four years for Georgia residents. For out-of-state families, Georgia Tech's high earnings and short payback period make the economics work even at full out-of-state rates for engineering and CS students.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $150,628 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,955 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $106,155 | B+ |
| Industrial Engineering | $128,003 | A |
| Biomedical Engineering | $102,755 | B+ |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $102,415 | B+ |
| Chemical Engineering | $104,104 | B+ |
| Computer Engineering | $128,497 | B+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $111,655 | B+ |
| Biology | $19,167 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
Georgia Tech CS has 1,070 graduates producing $105,137 median at year one and $150,628 at year four (ROI grade A, DTE 0.201). At over 1,000 graduates per year, Georgia Tech CS functions as a significant technology workforce pipeline for Atlanta, the Southeast, and national tech employers. A DTE of 0.201 against year-one earnings of $105k is a very clean ratio. The four-year figure ($150k) reflects advancement into senior engineering, technical lead, and architect roles at technology companies that maintain some of the most active university recruiting relationships in Atlanta.
Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech (346 graduates, $87,826 at year one, $128,003 at year four, ROI grade A, DTE 0.248) is the school's signature non-computing program. Year-one earnings are $87k from a manufacturing, operations, and supply chain discipline. The four-year figure ($128k) reflects advancement into operations management, consulting, and process engineering leadership roles. Median debt of $21,750 is moderate.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech (437 graduates, $78,862 at year one, $99,955 at year four, grade B+, DTE 0.342) is the largest engineering program by graduate count after CS at Georgia Tech. Year-one earnings of $78k reflect Georgia Tech ME graduates entering aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors. Median debt of $27,000 is the highest among the major engineering programs at GT, pushing the DTE ratio to 0.342 - still a B+ grade but a reminder that Georgia Tech's financial aid does not fully offset costs for all students. The four-year trajectory to $99k reflects movement into senior project and systems engineering roles.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Year-one earnings of $79k are competitive. Median debt of $22,750 is high; the DTE of 0.287 reflects that debt levels are significant relative to near-term earnings even when those earnings are strong by national standards.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech (157 graduates, $93,629 at year one, $128,497 at year four, grade B+, DTE 0.271) spans hardware-software systems at the intersection of electrical engineering and CS. Median debt of $25,399 is higher than pure CS, reducing the DTE score. Year-one earnings of $93k from a hardware-leaning discipline reflect strong placement into semiconductor, embedded systems, and defense technology roles. The four-year figure ($128k) reflects technical leadership and systems architecture roles. At Georgia in-state net prices (~$12,116), the total cost-to-earnings ratio remains favorable even with higher-than-average debt loads.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 87.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 90.6% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 87.7% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.8% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 14.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 690-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 680-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 30-34 |
| Enrollment | 18,785 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 13.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $15,393 |
Georgia Tech admits 14.1% of applicants. Georgia residents have a modest admissions advantage. For the most competitive programs (CS, Electrical Engineering), internal competition is high - applicants should investigate whether undeclared engineering is a viable pathway or whether direct-admit to specific programs is available. The HOPE Scholarship provides significant cost reduction for eligible Georgia residents, further strengthening the in-state ROI.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Georgia residents who qualify for HOPE get an additional cost advantage that does not appear in the Scorecard net price figures.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (this school) | 97 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
| University of California-Berkeley | 97 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 95 | $21,565 | $86,863 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 94 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | 20 | $6,842 | $34,996 |
| Albany State University | 14 | $11,898 | $40,674 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Admitted students cluster in the SAT 690-790 Math, 680-750 Reading range; ACT 30-34 composite. Students with strong preparation in mathematics and who have a clear interest in engineering, computing, or quantitative business will see the strongest outcomes. Students looking for a broad liberal arts education or who are undecided about a technical direction should consider whether GT's culture and curriculum is the right fit - the school has limited options outside its STEM and business programs.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $48,464 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $102,772 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 2.8 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 94.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $21,672 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $66,100 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: Common Questions
Is Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus pays off. It scores 97/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $12,116 a year after aid ($48,464 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $102,772 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 2.8 years to earn back.
How much does Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $12,116 a year, or roughly $48,464 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $102,772 ten years after enrolling, roughly $60,972 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 2.8 years for Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,672, against average earnings of $66,100 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus?
The six-year graduation rate is 94.0%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.