Harvard vs Georgia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Harvard admits 3.6% of applicants, while Georgia admits 37.9%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.7% (Harvard) against 1.1% (Georgia).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Harvard reports aid for international students ($81,046 on average), Georgia does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Harvard starts at $87,926 against $49,100 and ends at $13,539 against $33,752 (Georgia).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 37.92% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #401-500). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $69K). Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $64,796 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Georgia for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 37.92% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1300).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $69K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 89.7%).
Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $15,348).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 37.92% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 38.3% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1300 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 4.15 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 42,436 |
| International students | 15.7% | 1.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $69K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 89.7% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 94.3% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $31,678 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $15,348 |
| % of need met | 100% | 73.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $20,890 |
| Application fee | $85 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 43,146 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Georgia?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Georgia accepts 37.92%.
Do Harvard or Georgia graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $69K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Georgia?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $31,678 per year at Georgia.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Georgia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1300 at Georgia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Georgia?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #401-500 for Georgia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Georgia?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $15,348 at Georgia.
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