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 |
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