University of Georgia (UGA) is a public flagship research university located in Athens, Georgia. It enrolls around 39,000 students and has a long tradition of excellence in Business, Law, Veterinary Medicine, Education, and Public Affairs. UGA provides both traditional campus life and a strong research environment, particularly in agriculture, life sciences, and business. The admissions are quite selective, with an overall acceptance rate of about 37%, and the graduation rate is approximately 86%. The median salaries of graduates are about INR 65,00,000 (about $78,000) ten years after graduation.
Georgia State University (GSU) is a large public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia, with approximately 53,000 students. It is especially famous for its Business, Law, Public Health, Computer Science, and Social Sciences courses, capitalizing on its city presence as well as its proximity to Atlanta's business and governmental network. Admissions are moderately selective with an acceptance rate of around 52%, and the same graduation rate is also around 73%. Graduates are offered median salaries of about INR 55,00,000 (around $66,000) after ten years of graduating.
| University of Georgia | Georgia State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.7 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 351 Times Higher Education 2026 # 525 QS World University 2026 # 55 Financial Times 2025 | # 501 Times Higher Education 2026 # 781 QS World University 2026 # 501 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 111 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 22 for Law by US News 2025 | # 451 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 79 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -116 PG Programs -92 Doctorate Programs -114 | UG Programs -49 PG Programs -43 |
| Acceptance Rate | 37.2 % | 55.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-550 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1200 TOEFL-80 | IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 SAT-480 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 31120 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24724 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21866 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 27986 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30216 [For PG Program] |
| placement (average package) | The average salary that undergraduate students receive after their graduation is around $59,769. The programs and their average salary are as follows: Doctorate: $113,000 BBA: $96,000 Bachelor of Arts: $76,000 Master (Other): $73,000 Bachelor of Science: $70,000 Bachelor (Other): $64,000 | Some programs and the average salary are as follows:
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| application requirements | Standardized test scores and counselor recommendations are required for all the applicants. | Submit the non-refundable application fee of $60. |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.2/10 Read 7 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 13 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 111 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 29 for Business by US News 2025 # 126 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | GMAT - 698/800GRE - 314/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 90/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 10, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 10, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 10, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) | Jan 26, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for Fall 2026 intake) Mar 16, 2026 (Round 1 Application Deadline for Summer 2026 intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Georgia | Georgia State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1785 | 1913 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 25:1 |
| Male:Female | 43% Male, 57% Female | 41% Male, 59% Female |
| Location Facts | The University of Georgia's main campus is made up of 465 buildings covering an area of about 762 acres (308 hectares). The university owns an additional 39,743 acres (160.83 km2) of land in 31 counties across Georgia. The campus is divided into north campus, south campus, east campus, west campus and central campus. | University consists of five different campuses around the Metro Atlanta region. Campuses in Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, and Newton County each offer different amenities. |
| Library | The university has 14 libraries and it also has various special collections. Georgia Capitol Museum is a part of university libraries. There are three remote site libraries- Gwinnett, Griffin, and Tifton Campus libraries. |
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| Campus Life | University of Georgia has more than hunderds of student clubs that provide various services to the students. There are also various other engagement sources for the students to keep them engaged. International students also have their society that takes care of their well being. University provides various sports facilities to the students that include hockey, rugby, basketball, football etc. Accommodations and dining facilities are also available for the students on campus. | Georgia State University maintains a visible presence on all campuses and offers a comprehensive public safety program to benefit the university community.
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| Hostel | #Housing - $5750 #Housing - $7228 | - |
| Famous Alumni | Alton Brown (TV personality), Michael Stipe (singer-songwriter), Ryan Seacrest (radio personality), Zell Miller (former Senator), Paul Broun (US representative), Sonny Perdue (US Secretary for Agriculture), Stuart Woods (novelist), Sally Yates (Former US Attorney General), Parvati Shallow (TV personality), etc. |
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| City Life | Athens is a city in Georgia with a population of 126,118. Athens is in Clarke County and is one of the best places to live in Georgia. Living in Athens offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Athens there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many young professionals live in Athens and residents tend to lean liberal. Located about 1.5 hours northeast of Atlanta, Athens Georgia is just far enough away from the fast-paced lifestyle of Atlanta yet laid back and culturally infused with exciting events year round. Surrounding the Athens gated communities, you will find culture, arts, lifelong learning, quality medical care, and plenty of dining and shopping. The University of Georgia’s location here makes this small town one of the best college towns in Georgia. Gated Georgia golf communities are popular with the school faculty. |
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University of Georgia vs Georgia State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
University of Georgia (UGA): With a ranking of 525 in QS World University Rankings 2026, UGA is firmly ranked for business, law, agriculture, social sciences, education, and public affairs. Its Terry College of Business and School of Public and International Affairs are nationally ranked.
Georgia State University (GSU): Ranked around 781-790 in QS 2026, GSU is particularly strong in business, law, public policy, social sciences, health sciences, and data analytics. Its J. Mack Robinson College of Business is widely acclaimed for analytics and finance programs
General Information
UGA: A public research flagship institution in Athens, Georgia, with around 41,000 students. Renowned for its historic campus, sports (SEC member), and high-quality research in agriculture, business, and law.
GSU: A large public research university located in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than 53,000 students, of which more than 10,000 are international students. Its location in an urban setting provides strong connections to the business, government, and health communities of Atlanta.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UGA: Moderately selective with a 52% acceptance rate. Most competitive majors are business, journalism, engineering, and law.
GSU: Less selective with a 37% acceptance rate. Top programs are business, law, social sciences, health, and data analytics.
Research Impact & Facilities
UGA: Tied for #1 R1 (very high research activity) along with other top institutions, UGA excels in agriculture, business, law, education, and public policy with numerous research centers and partnerships across the nation.
GSU: Similarly ranked R1, GSU focuses on urban research, business analytics, public policy, health sciences, and data-driven research with close industry connections in Atlanta.
Cost & Financial Aid
UGA: The in-state fee is around USD $12,000/year, out-of-state ~USD $31,000/year. Offers both need-based and merit scholarships to both international and domestic students.
GSU: The in-state fee is around USD $10,500/year, out-of-state ~USD $31,000/year, only slightly cheaper for GA residents. Offers a range of scholarships, particularly for the business and analytics majors.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UGA: Graduates are well-marketable in business, law, agriculture, education, and public policy. Excellent alumni network in the state and Georgia, with substantial numbers in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.
GSU: Graduates excel in business, law, healthcare, public policy, and data analytics, especially in Atlanta's urban economy. Alumni network is very good locally, with growing national exposure.
