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University of Georgia vs University of Minnesota

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

39.0% UGA acceptance
75.0% UMN acceptance
$24,248 UGA cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UGA
Athens, Georgia
Public
Founded
1785
Enrollment
41,652
Setting
Suburban
UMN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Public
Founded
1851
Enrollment
54,890
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UGA saves $5,282
UGA
$31,120
UMN
$36,402
Acceptance Rate UGA more selective
UGA
39.0%
UMN
75.0%
Graduation Rate UGA higher
UGA
88%
UMN
83%
Avg SAT Score UMN higher
UGA
1340
UMN
1370
Starting Salary UMN higher
UGA
$58,700
UMN
$64,800

Detailed Comparison

Metric UGA UMN Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$31,120$36,402UGA
Tuition (In-State)$12,080$15,588UGA
Room & Board$12,090$12,870UGA
Acceptance Rate39.0%75.0%UGA
Graduation Rate88%83%UGA
Average SAT13401370UMN
Student-Faculty Ratio17:117:1Tie
Enrollment41,65254,890-
Avg Financial Aid$12,980$15,100UMN
Starting Salary$58,700$64,800UMN
Endowment$2.0B$4.4BUMN
Campus Size762 acres1,204 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UGA
$172,840
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UMN
$197,088
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UGA = $120,920 | UMN = $136,688. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UGA Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPsychologyFinanceRisk Management

UMN Top Majors

PsychologyBiologyEngineeringComputer ScienceBusiness

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UGASuburban
UMNUrban
Campus Size
UGA762 ac
UMN1,204 ac
Athletics
UGANCAA D1
UMNNCAA D1
Region
UGASouth
UMNMidwest
Founded
UGA1785
UMN1851
Enrollment
UGA41,652
UMN54,890

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UGA or UMN harder to get into?+
UGA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 39.0% compared to 75.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UGA or UMN?+
At sticker price, UGA costs less over 4 years ($172,840 vs $197,088). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UGA offers an average of $12,980/year in aid while UMN offers $15,100/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UGA and UMN?+
The average SAT score at UGA is 1340 and at UMN it is 1370. 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 UGA or UMN graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UMN have a higher average starting salary ($64,800 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?+
UGA has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UMN has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UGA and UMN compare for campus life?+
UGA is located in Athens, Georgia (suburban setting) with a 762-acre campus. UMN is in Minneapolis, Minnesota (urban setting) with 1,204 acres. UGA competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UMN in NCAA D1.