On Saturday, October 3, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama college football teams will square off in an SEC rivalry game. Which university has the best football program will be determined on the field. But which university is best at developing students at a reasonable cost? The winner: Georgia, which outscores Alabama in Kiplinger's annual Best College Values rankings due to a better student-faculty ratio, better freshman-retention and four-year graduation rates, and financial-aid programs that lessen the burden of student debt on graduates. Take a look:
| Header Cell - Column 0 | University of Alabama | University of Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Kiplinger's Best College Values Rank | 182 | 96 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 21:1 | 17:1 |
| Admission Rate | 57% | 55% |
| Freshman Retention Rate | 87% | 94% |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 43% | 58% |
| Total Annual Cost (out-of-state) | $33,906 | $39,902 |
| Total Cost After Need-Based Aid (out-of-state) | $25,354 | $30,238 |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | $28,508 | $20,254 |
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
Things that Surprise Business Owners When It’s Time to SellThe Kiplinger Letter When it’s time to retire and enjoy the fruits of growing their business, owners are often surprised by how tough it is to give up their baby!
-
Stock Market Today: Powell Rumors Spark Volatile Day for StocksStocks sold off sharply intraday after multiple reports suggested President Trump is considering firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Apple, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime Amazon Prime Day is four days this year. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals to shop during the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
