Stanford vs Georgia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Stanford: 3.8% against 37.9% (Georgia).
The larger international cohort belongs to Stanford: 13.1% of students against 1.1% (Georgia).
Georgia reports no financial aid for international students, while Stanford awards them $85,424 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $49,100 (Georgia), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $33,752.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 37.92% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #401-500). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $69K). Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $68,574 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 Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 37.92% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1300).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $69K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 89.7%).
Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $15,348).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 37.92% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 38.3% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1300 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | 4.15 |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 42,436 |
| International students | 13.1% | 1.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $69K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 89.7% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 94.3% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $31,678 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $15,348 |
| % of need met | 100% | 73.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $20,890 |
| Application fee | $100 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 43,146 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Georgia?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Georgia accepts 37.92%.
Do Stanford or Georgia graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $69K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Georgia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $31,678 per year at Georgia.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Georgia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1300 at Georgia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Georgia?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #401-500 for Georgia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Georgia?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $15,348 at Georgia.
Harvard
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina