Georgetown University
Georgetown University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Georgetown University at a Glance
Georgetown University is a private Jesuit research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded by Bishop John Carroll in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States, the oldest university in Washington, D.C., and the nation's first federally chartered university.
1789
237 years old
$4.0B
$3.95 billion (2025)
20,031
7,833 undergrad · 12,198 grad
104 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Georgetown University
Official admissions pageJanuary 10
November 1 (Early Action, non-binding, non-restrictive)
$75
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Interview
Fee waiver
Is Georgetown University Worth It?
Georgetown University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $40,815/year, it's priced 100% above average, while graduates go on to earn $103,494 — 92% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 95% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 13% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $15,500 is manageable at just 15% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Georgetown University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #22 of 24 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 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #4 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #5 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| #6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #22 | Georgetown University | 60 | $40,815 | $103,494 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Georgetown University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Georgetown University
The highest-earning program at Georgetown University is Accounting and Related Services at $83,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $37,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Georgetown University earns $83,100, while a Biology, General graduate earns $37,000. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $15,500 in median debt vs. $15,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $40,815/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $83,100 | $83,100 | $15,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $81,400 | $81,400 | $17,000 |
| Computer Science | $77,900 | $77,900 | $17,250 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $70,100 | $70,100 | $17,500 |
| Economics | $68,700 | $68,700 | $15,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,900 | $67,900 | $17,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,600 | $64,600 | $14,480 |
| International Business | $62,600 | $62,600 | $15,125 |
| Science, Technology and Society | $61,300 | $61,300 | $11,000 |
| Marketing | $55,800 | $55,800 | $16,605 |
| Political Science and Government | $49,100 | $49,100 | $15,205 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $45,300 | $45,300 | $15,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,700 | $40,700 | $15,000 |
| Psychology, General | $39,000 | $39,000 | $17,500 |
| Sociology | $37,100 | $37,100 | $8,689 |
| Biology, General | $37,000 | $37,000 | $15,500 |
Similar Colleges in DC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Student Body
- 7,569 students
- Admission Rate
- 13%
- Graduation Rate
- 95%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $40,815
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $103,494
- Median Student Debt
- $15,500