Washington, DC · Private University
Is George Washington University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$90,873
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,990
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,990
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$259,960
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.40x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
85.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,449
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$37,454
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
George Washington University graduates earn $45,873 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at George Washington University ranked by graduate earnings
34 graduates
18 graduates
60 graduates
73 graduates
28 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at George Washington University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At George Washington University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $124,419) and the lowest (Research and Experimental Psychology: $37,906) is $86,513/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $124,419 | 1.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $112,715 | 1.7x |
| International Business | $101,930 | 1.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $101,012 | 1.6x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $97,853 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,691 | 1.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $89,287 | 1.4x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $86,753 | 1.3x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $81,557 | 1.3x |
| Marketing | $80,945 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $80,898 | 1.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,066 | 1.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $76,383 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $72,844 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $68,447 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $66,907 | 1.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $66,905 | 1.0x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,524 | 1.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $66,362 | 1.0x |
| History | $65,725 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $65,477 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $60,690 | 0.9x |
| Public Health | $59,322 | 0.9x |
| Business/Commerce, General(1yr data) | $58,373 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $55,736 | 0.9x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $52,893 | 0.8x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $52,883 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $52,126 | 0.8x |
| Anthropology | $49,003 | 0.8x |
| Research and Experimental PsychologyLowest(1yr data) | $37,906 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University | 1.40x | $90,873 | Average ROI |
| American University | 1.37x | $77,370 | Average ROI |
| Fordham University | 1.38x | $85,569 | Average ROI |
| Bucknell University | 1.45x | $93,807 | Average ROI |
| Syracuse University | 1.25x | $79,164 | Average ROI |
| University of Rochester | 1.23x | $79,042 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
George Washington University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $90,873 10 years after starting — $45,873 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to George Washington University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.