George Washington University
George Washington University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
George Washington University at a Glance
The George Washington University is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Originally named Columbian College, it was chartered in 1821 by the United States Congress and is the first university founded under Washington, D.C.'s jurisdiction. It is one of six federally chartered universities in the United States.
1821
205 years old
$3.4B
$3.4 billion (2026)
24,500
11,148 undergrad · 12,936 grad
43 acres
Identity
Is George Washington University Worth It?
George Washington University offers moderate value at $36,586/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $90,873, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 85% graduation rate means roughly 15% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How George Washington University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #2 | University of Rochester | 57 | $29,278 | $79,042 |
| #3 | George Washington University | 53 | $36,586 | $90,873 |
| #4 | Santa Clara University | 48 | $50,062 | $109,183 |
| #5 | Syracuse University | 42 | $38,793 | $79,164 |
| #6 | Loyola Marymount University | 32 | $48,381 | $78,349 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of George Washington University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at George Washington University
The highest-earning program at George Washington University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $67,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from George Washington University earns $67,800, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $24,500 in median debt vs. $26,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,586/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $67,800 | $67,800 | $24,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,200 | $66,200 | $18,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $25,846 |
| International Business | $58,500 | $58,500 | $23,250 |
| Economics | $53,900 | $53,900 | $20,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $49,300 | $49,300 | $22,749 |
| Marketing | $48,100 | $48,100 | $24,117 |
| Area Studies | $48,000 | $48,000 | $22,154 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $46,900 | $46,900 | $22,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,600 | $45,600 | $25,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $45,500 | $45,500 | $21,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $22,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,900 | $43,900 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $43,500 | $43,500 | $23,000 |
| Journalism | $42,000 | $42,000 | $25,000 |
| History | $36,000 | $36,000 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $35,600 | $35,600 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,900 | $34,900 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $22,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,000 | $17,000 | $26,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Student Body
- 11,182 students
- Admission Rate
- 47%
- Graduation Rate
- 85%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,586
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $90,873
- Median Student Debt
- $20,449