Study: Georgia Tech, UGA offer best salary returns on tuition
Tech cheerleaders ride the Rambling Wreck onto Grant Field (Associated Press)
Georgia Tech offers “the best academic deal in America” when it comes to which colleges and universities help graduates reel in the biggest paychecks considering the tuition they had to fork over, according to to SmartMoney.
In fact, Georgia has two schools in the Top 5: The University of Georgia ranks No. 4, behind Tech, the University of Florida (2) and the University of Texas at Austin (3). (See complete table here – pdf). From SmartMoney:
Recent Georgia Tech grads earn $59,000, or a stellar 67% of what they paid in tuition. Grads in their 30s average $102,000 a year, more than three times their 1990s tuition tab.
President G.P. Peterson credits the focus of virtually all Tech students on science-oriented disciplines, including engineering and computer and software design, and Tech’s “fortunate position” of being able to get tuition subsidies from the state thanks to the HOPE scholarship. It also helps that the hottest careers are currently in the technology industry.
SmartMoney, with the help of Seattle-based compensation data company PayScale, relied on 35 million salary profiles to come up with median pay figures for two groups of alumni at each of the Top 50 most expensive schools on the list. One group was the Class of 2009 and the other was the Class of 1997, who were now getting mid-career salaries.
The median salary was divided by total tuition and fees for each of the four-year periods. The result was converted to a percentage figure, and the outcome was a measure of return on investment, or a “Payback Score”.
Tech’s Class of 2009, who paid $87,810 for four years of college, had a median salary of $59,000 today. The Class of 1997, who paid $30,249 for four years of college, had a median salary of $102,000 today.
Georgia’s Class of 2009, whose members paid $77,957 for four years of college, have a median salary of $41,100 today. The Class of 1997, whose members paid $27,865 for four years of college, have a median salary of $79,200.
The thousands more in tuition paid by private college school graduates also didn’t translate into a much higher salary return when compared with the pay public college graduates were seeing. The study found the average salary for the public college Class of 2009 was $47,790, compared with $46,024 for their private liberal arts counterparts. The salary was $87,257 for the public college Class of 1997, compared with $91,019 for their private school counterparts. From SmartMoney:
By their mid-30s, alumni of the 21 private liberal-arts schools we surveyed are pulling down only about 4% more than their public school peers, despite having spent almost twice as much on tuition (assuming they paid the sticker price).
What kind of return are you getting on your college investment as you glance at your paycheck?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
164 comments Add your comment
Big Al
September 26th, 2012
8:54 am
I have more sex than UGA and Tech grads combined.
the magnificent chimpo
September 26th, 2012
9:23 am
@Big Al…did you go to PENN STATE?
The Crow
September 26th, 2012
9:25 am
“And for those of you who cannot understand why schools like MIT and others are below UGA, please read the article again. The rankings are based on a comparision of tuition and salaries at graduation and at mid-career.”
MIT isn’t below UGA, as it wasn’t even included in 50 schools studied.
atowndown
September 26th, 2012
9:39 am
Big Al is in prison.
GTJoE
September 26th, 2012
9:43 am
@The Crow…Can you actually expect UGA ‘fans’ to understand the variables used to compile the data provided in the article? As one ‘fan’ put it…its all about football for them.
Mom in Rural GA
September 26th, 2012
9:44 am
So, was Tech number 1 or number 3? It is difficult to tell by the poorly written sentence:
“In fact, Georgia has two schools in the Top 5: The University of Georgia ranks No. 4, behind Tech, the University of Florida (2) and the University of Texas at Austin (3).”
Tech is 1st – that should have been the focus of the article and that sentence, instead of UGA’s outstanding no 5 ranking -albeit, truly amazing. (Guessing a UGA grad authored this piece – but don’t have time to research. The AJC bias still ruffles this Tech grad’s feathers every now and then.)
PR
September 26th, 2012
9:55 am
At the end of the day, a degree only gets your foot in the door. It’s up to the individual to turn that degree into a career and paycheck.
Mom in Rural GA
September 26th, 2012
9:57 am
My husband and I are both Tech grads. Literally begged our daughter to go to UGA – would get an easy 4.0, and would get into grad school without a problem with her testing abilities. She rebelled and chose Tech and loves it. (When we were students – you didn’t LOVE Tech.) Times have changed and she appreciates being surrounded by rational, level-headed, mature, intelligent kids with lots of ambition. Liberal Arts and Business double major. Coke emailed her the other day and asked her to come interview. She is in her 2nd year. We are finally happy with her decision to attend Tech. (She still has HOPE – we just want her to keep her grades up in case grad school is in her future- Tech does not hand out the A’s in any subject, no matter how smart it would make their graduates look).
Big Al
September 26th, 2012
10:01 am
Seriously, Tech students are all virgins and UGA studnets are a bunch of fags.
jarvis
September 26th, 2012
10:06 am
I graduated from UGA in 1997 and I’m floored that the cost has went from $27,865 to $77,957 in TWELVE years. That’s absurd! That’s almost 180%!!!
The Crow
September 26th, 2012
10:19 am
“Tech is 1st – that should have been the focus of the article and that sentence, instead of UGA’s outstanding no 5 ranking -albeit, truly amazing.”
Could you not glean that from first nine words of the article: “Georgia Tech offers ‘the best academic deal in America’…”?
Wow.
Evidently, Mom in Rural GA...
September 26th, 2012
10:23 am
…has a difficult time comprehending the written – must be from that terrific GT education which she admittedly begged her gifted daughter NOT to pursue…
Ga Dawg
September 26th, 2012
10:34 am
The truth of the matter is that if you apply yourself and work hard the sky is the limit. It does not matter where you go to school. You can accomplish what you want if you work hard and apply yourself. I am a proud grad of UGA, played ball there and have done quite well for myself. Most of you think a “jock” is a dummy who is at school because of his athletic skills. Get over the hate people. Both UGA and Tech produce people who are solvent in their communities
Pot meet Kettle
September 26th, 2012
10:43 am
Hilarious Yech fans. Saying UGA undermines academics for athletes. Have you heard Demaryious Thomas speak?
DumbMoney
September 26th, 2012
11:11 am
I haven’t read all of the comments, so my point may have already been made. SmartMoney might have to change their name. If you consider that college is at best a one-time investment and at worst a very low interest loan, plus that a salary is paid yearly. The best investment is the one that returns the highest midcareer salary because the difference in salary is going to be paid yearly over the remainder of the graduate’s career. Over the next ten years, the difference in the highest midcareer salary and the lowest is going to be much greater than the difference in cost of college over four years between even Princton and UGA. In the short term, UGA and Tech are great investments, but over the long term Princeton and the other expensive private schools are the best bet, along with Tech. Tech’s a great deal anyway you cut it. UGA is a great deal in the short term and a good deal in the long term. So, strictly speaking to the financial value of a degree for a graduate, the best deal is the one that will afford the highest midcareer salary. Assuming you choose a career track with an average payscale. But life isn’t all about money, but it sure makes it easier.
TechMarine
September 26th, 2012
11:25 am
Proud UGA Grad, I’ll take that bet. You guys have photography majors there so getting the big picture shouldn’t be too much work. Tech had 3 astronauts on the ISS at one time, how many UGA grads have made it off the planet?
wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2012
11:27 am
ProudUGAGrad: Stick with the facts instead of what you wish was true
wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2012
11:29 am
Jarvis: You, sir, have hit on the correct topic. College costs are today’s biggest legal racket. Don’t be surprized if the mafia isn’t involved.
wreckmaniac
September 26th, 2012
11:31 am
At Tech, our competition is not UGA. It is MIT, CalTech, Rice and other elite technology schools.
beanster
September 26th, 2012
11:37 am
@ DumbMoney — Wisest analysis yet. Especially true in the “new” economy.
AT
September 26th, 2012
12:37 pm
I’d like to see statistics on what % of Tech vs. UGA students can actually find jobs after they graduate. The job market has demand for high paying science, technology and engineering talent, which Georgia Tech prepares students for. UGA’s general degree programs are no longer attractive in today’s job market, a fact that’s reflected in the lower pay of UGA grads (~$20k lower than Tech in Mid-Career Median Salaries).
APS News Digest – Wednesday, September 26, 2012 « Talk Up APS
September 26th, 2012
12:43 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/business-beat/2012/09/25/was-the-tuition-you-paid-for-college-worth-it/ [...]
CLEMSONDUDE
September 26th, 2012
12:55 pm
Little ole Clemson is at # 7. Continue to make gains as a top 20 public University. Go Tigers!
ugaalumni
September 26th, 2012
1:06 pm
Hey I know Georgia Tech and UGA are rivals in the sports arena but we can’t honestly discount both schools a great educational institutions. I am a 2009 UGA grad and fortunately I and alot of my friends are on the northern end of the median salary for UGA 2009 Grads(aside for those currently pursuing furthur degrees) And thats even with a liberals arts degree. However, I will admit that I have a great deal of respect for anyone that attended GT let alone graduated from there. That is by no means a easy task and a degree from there is highly respected.
Buck's Nuggets
September 26th, 2012
1:10 pm
51-7
Wreckem
September 26th, 2012
1:10 pm
Good job for both schools. As an alumnus of The Institute, I feel the most valuable experience from the school is learning how to work hard. If any student or student athelete thinks they are gonna coast through their degree program, man you are dead wrong. And I really don’t think you can compare GT to UGA academically, they have two completely different missions. The state of Georgia should be proud, we give students and families the best return on their college investments.
Devil's Advocate
September 26th, 2012
1:26 pm
You know a person is miserable when the only way they can feel good about themselves is to constantly put down their neighbor. I’ve never understood why it is so important for Techies to make sure the world knows that UGA’s academics are so poor.
GAMom77
September 26th, 2012
1:35 pm
There is no simple formula to be able to explain to the masses. Coming from a private liberal arts college with a high SAT/ACT entrance, the graduates applying to med/law school are so succesful that it is off the charts over public institutions that it is unbelivable. This reading does not take that into accounting at all and is no indicator of ‘learning of skills’ for liberal arts. Regional schools are extremely low while nationally ranked schools are very high. It’s apples and oranges and unfortunately history bares out the truth! There is the rare case but it is that…..rare!
I wonder what
September 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
the value comparison would look like if you considered the tuition dollars wasted on MRS majors (home economics or whatever they are calling it now) who never have a salary.
Sha Rogers
September 26th, 2012
1:48 pm
Sure would be nice if I had tuition reimbursement with my employer, because I would take full advantage!!!
Indydawg
September 26th, 2012
1:48 pm
And obviously GT Joe is undercompensated in other ways.
Really people, it is about who you know.
myother
September 26th, 2012
1:58 pm
Can you say “circle jerk”?
Donna
September 26th, 2012
2:00 pm
“Tech’s Class of 2009, who paid $87,810 for four years of college, had a median salary of $59,000 today. The Class of 1997, who paid $30,249 for four years of college, had a median salary of $102,000 today.
Georgia’s Class of 2009, whose members paid $77,957 for four years of college, have a median salary of $41,100 today. The Class of 1997, whose members paid $27,865 for four years of college, have a median salary of $79,200.”
Wow, even though I have a Bachelor of Science degree from what I, with my close-minded view, call a “real” university, my husband spent 2 years in a vo-tech school to become an instrument technician, paid minimal tuition, and was making 6 figures at a chemical plant after being there 5 years. He’s now been there almost 11 years. I eat my words and wonder why pay the expense of what I deemed “real” universities when there are many jobs that pay extremely good salaries for much less time and expense. Oh – This article was about the ratio of money spent to money earned – return on investment and it seems many didn’t quite get that part. The comments almost sound like I was reading the Sports Vent…
GFY
September 26th, 2012
2:01 pm
I think what a lot of people are missing in this bid to one up each other is how much tuition has increased in the past 12 years at both UGA and GIT. At GIT it is ~300% (rounded) from 1997 to 2009. At UGA it is also ~300%. This is what people should be upset about. What would be curious is to identify what is driving this kind of increase. I suspect that once the HOPE scholarship began subsidizing tuition other “student fees” went through the roof. I cannot verify as I am past my college years and my children are 10 years away but it does make you pause to consider the very large increase in the past 12 years.
Funnel Mouth
September 26th, 2012
2:04 pm
I know Natty Light! Got my beer money a master’s in tailgaitin’. Party school heaven. For a few dollars more? Nah! 4-0 and on our way to another National Championship!!!! You can’t buy that.
GFY
September 26th, 2012
2:05 pm
Very well written narrative from Wreckem. While we may root for our team in sports that in no way should take away from the fact we have two great public schools (Emory is private of course and some questions are currently surrounding their SAT admission scores
).
Show Me Your TDs
September 26th, 2012
2:06 pm
With all engineers bragging on here, its a shame they cant see the entire equation regarding why possible differences of income. Two different sampling size/population..with differing curriculum.
mad~catfish
September 26th, 2012
2:06 pm
i guess tech is a good deal…but then you have to be worried about being raped, murdered or robbed on north avenue…but hell i guess it out weighs the odds….stupid geek loosers!!!!
Pocket Protector
September 26th, 2012
2:07 pm
I know DragonCon. Got my Stormtrooper uniform on and going to have some virtual relationships tonight!! Mom might find out if I don’t keep the basement door locked. I don’t care about football as it is not as cool as playing video games.
uga grad
September 26th, 2012
2:20 pm
Endowments are mostly meaningless for public universities. They receive their funding as a line item in the state budget. Private universities receive their funding as returns from investing their endowment. For what its worth I have a BS and MS in biology from UGA and I am embarrassed to admit how little money I make (working in biological research).
Southern Belle
September 26th, 2012
2:29 pm
The CEO of GameStop is a GA Tech grad who never pursued a graduate degree. He is brilliant and a big supporter of Tech.
That is ok, uga grad...
September 26th, 2012
2:32 pm
…I am a graduate of one of those “southern Ivy League” liberal arts colleges and am probably their undistinguished graduates, of whom they are really mad that they allowed to matriculate there, much less graduate from there…I think I graduated just to spite them, but, in the long run, the joke was on me, much to my chagrine…
xxx
September 26th, 2012
2:35 pm
Parking lot football fans don’t get to comment. The discussion is about tuition and graduation, 2 things most UGA fans only hear about from eavesdropping on their betters in the stalls as they wait to turn the water on for them.
Motocross Survivor
September 26th, 2012
2:37 pm
This is deceptive as it only counts the grads who actually found a professional position in their field. There are many more who didn’t and who are working any job they can get, or are back home with the parents. I learned about these kinds of reports long ago.
@DonPablo
September 26th, 2012
2:51 pm
Califdan,
I appreciate your comments. I will never forget where I came from and that others paved the way for me. Regardless of where we went to school, it’s what you do after you have your degree in hand that matters most. All of the money in the world can’t buy you happiness and you can’t take it your eternal resting place. So use your money/assets for good. donate to endowments and community outreach philanthrophic endeavors. That’s why Bill and Melinda Gates are my idols.
Stephen
September 26th, 2012
2:53 pm
Where is the “Harvard of the South” Emory?
No, Stephen...
September 26th, 2012
2:57 pm
…it is Morehouse College…Emory would be insulted by being compared to Hah-vud…
Jsin
September 26th, 2012
2:57 pm
Of course state schools with in state tuition are going to be the top ranked. What a joke this article is.
Guest
September 26th, 2012
3:08 pm
“Where is the ‘Harvard of the South’ Emory?”
Emory wasn’t one of the 50 schools studied.
Michael Miller
September 26th, 2012
3:29 pm
I never got into GaTech. I did get into SPSU. I did not get a degree from SPSU, I did make some important connections (fellow students) that helped me get into the business world. And there were a few good classes that have been instrumental in my career. Overall I think the experience was worth it. And at various times in my life I have made more than “old timer”. It isn’t about the degree, or the school. It is about the student. I would recommend attending a state school simply because of the lower cost of in-state tuition.