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Indiana University Bloomington vs University of Georgia

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% IU acceptance
39.0% UGA acceptance
$33,888 UGA cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Public
Founded
1820
Enrollment
47,527
Setting
Suburban
UGA
Athens, Georgia
Public
Founded
1785
Enrollment
41,652
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UGA saves $8,064
IU
$39,184
UGA
$31,120
Acceptance Rate UGA more selective
IU
80.0%
UGA
39.0%
Graduation Rate UGA higher
IU
80%
UGA
88%
Avg SAT Score UGA higher
IU
1240
UGA
1340
Starting Salary IU higher
IU
$58,900
UGA
$58,700

Detailed Comparison

Metric IU UGA Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$39,184$31,120UGA
Tuition (In-State)$11,614$12,080IU
Room & Board$12,498$12,090UGA
Acceptance Rate80.0%39.0%UGA
Graduation Rate80%88%UGA
Average SAT12401340UGA
Student-Faculty Ratio15:117:1IU
Enrollment47,52741,652-
Avg Financial Aid$13,900$12,980IU
Starting Salary$58,900$58,700IU
Endowment$3.6B$2.0BIU
Campus Size1,940 acres762 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

IU
$206,728
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UGA
$172,840
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: IU = $151,128 | UGA = $120,920. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

IU Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPublic HealthInformaticsMedia

UGA Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPsychologyFinanceRisk Management

Campus & Student Life

Setting
IUSuburban
UGASuburban
Campus Size
IU1,940 ac
UGA762 ac
Athletics
IUNCAA D1
UGANCAA D1
Region
IUMidwest
UGASouth
Founded
IU1820
UGA1785
Enrollment
IU47,527
UGA41,652

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is IU or UGA harder to get into?+
UGA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 39.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, IU or UGA?+
At sticker price, UGA costs less over 4 years ($172,840 vs $206,728). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. IU offers an average of $13,900/year in aid while UGA offers $12,980/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for IU and UGA?+
The average SAT score at IU is 1240 and at UGA it is 1340. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do IU or UGA graduates earn more?+
Graduates of IU have a higher average starting salary ($58,900 vs $58,700). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
IU has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UGA has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do IU and UGA compare for campus life?+
IU is located in Bloomington, Indiana (suburban setting) with a 1,940-acre campus. UGA is in Athens, Georgia (suburban setting) with 762 acres. IU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UGA in NCAA D1.