George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia · Private Nonprofit · 47.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 88/100 · Strong Value
George Washington University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $67,710/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $67,710/yr |
| Average net price | $36,586/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $146,344 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,873 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $58,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,449 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 84.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 11,182 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,440 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,292 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,080 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,100 |
| $110,001+ | $55,337 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at George Washington University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $76,751 | B |
| International Relations | $79,692 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $96,741 | B+ |
| Public Health | $87,217 | C+ |
| Economics | $99,406 | B+ |
| Psychology | $79,187 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management | $126,638 | B+ |
| Biology | $70,444 | D |
| International Business | $99,018 | B+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $80,070 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at George Washington University is $67,710/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $36,586/year, or roughly $146,344 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,440/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $55,337/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,449 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $90,873 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.35 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 87.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 47.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 670-750 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 680-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 31-34 |
| Enrollment | 11,182 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $16,784 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University (this school) | 88 | $36,586 | $90,873 |
| Santa Clara University | 90 | $50,062 | $109,183 |
| University of San Diego | 88 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| The Catholic University of America | 77 | $29,561 | $73,250 |
| Syracuse University | 76 | $38,793 | $79,164 |
| American University | 74 | $41,943 | $77,370 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
George Washington University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $36,586 per year ($146,344 over four years), graduates earn a median of $90,873 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.1 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 84.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $20,449 is very manageable against $90,873 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.