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Georgia State University vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Atlanta GA · vs · Public, Atlanta GA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $48,464 in 0.9 years versus not at all at Georgia State University, on median earnings of $102,772 vs $47,384 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgia State UniversityGeorgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Net price / yr$15,931$12,116
Total net cost$63,724$48,464
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,384$102,772
Median debt$20,903$21,672
Payback—0.9 yrs
20-year net return-$83,244$1,039,776

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus?

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, at $12,116 a year after aid versus $15,931 — a gap of $3,815 a year, or $15,260 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn more?

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates report a median $102,772 ten years after entry, $55,388 more than the $47,384 at Georgia State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus?

Georgia State University: its completers carry a median $20,903 in federal loans versus $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, a difference of $769. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, against 53% at Georgia State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Georgia State University vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus a better value?
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. It clears its $48,464 net cost in about 0.9 years versus no clear payback at Georgia State University, on median earnings of $102,772 vs $47,384 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus?
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus: $12,116/yr net price after aid versus $15,931/yr at Georgia State University — a difference of $3,815 a year, or about $15,260 over four years.
Do Georgia State University or Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn a median $102,772 ten years after entry, versus $47,384 at Georgia State University — a $55,388 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.