George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia · Private Nonprofit · 47.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 88/100 · Strong Value
George Washington University scores 88 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, earning strong marks across payback period (5.1 years), debt-to-earnings (0.349), completion rate (84%), and repayment rate (87%). Median 6-year earnings of $58,600 at a net price of $36,586 put GWU in a competitive position for a DC-area private research university. International Relations and National Security Studies -- GWU's largest program at 511 graduates -- earns $52,933 year one and $76,751 year four, reflecting steady placement into government, think tanks, and defense contractors adjacent to Washington. Computer Science (55 graduates) earns $104,200 year one and $150,716 at year four with ROI grade A.
The median graduate earns $90,873 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
George Washington University
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The $0-30,000 income bracket pays $17,440 per year at GWU, and the $30,001-48,000 bracket pays $17,292 -- essentially the same, with the lower bracket receiving marginally less aid, which is an unusual inversion. At four-year cost around $70,000 against $58,600 median 6-year earnings and a 5.1-year payback, the ROI case is strong for low-income students who complete degrees and enter any of GWU's higher-earning programs.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-75,000) pay $22,080 per year; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $28,100. These figures represent meaningful aid from a $67,710 sticker price. The 5.1-year payback period is competitive for a private university in this price range, and the DC location provides internship access that can accelerate career entry.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $55,337 per year -- about $221,000 over four years at full cost. Against $58,600 median 6-year earnings, the financial case for high-income families depends on program choice: Computer Science ($104,200 year one) justifies full pay easily; International Relations ($52,933 year one) stretches it. GWU's policy network and DC location add value not captured in Scorecard earnings, particularly for careers in government and multilateral institutions.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (55 graduates) is GWU's top-earning program by year-one dollars: $104,200 median earnings at year one, $150,716 at year four, with debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.187 and median debt of $19,500 (ROI grade A). The DC tech market -- bolstered by federal contracting, cybersecurity, and defense IT -- pulls GWU CS graduates into well-compensated roles immediately. The A-grade ROI is among the strongest at the school.
International Relations and National Security Studies
International Relations and National Security Studies is GWU's largest program at 511 graduates -- by far the most popular major. Year-one median earnings are $52,933, year-four $76,751, with debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.416 (ROI grade B). The National Security Studies designation reflects GWU's specialized pipeline into defense and intelligence adjacent careers, which pay better than traditional foreign service tracks. A B-grade ROI at 511 graduates sets the institutional floor for this program-heavy school.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (272 graduates) earns $79,221 year one and $96,741 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.335 (ROI grade B+). Nursing is GWU's largest program outside the policy cluster and serves the DC-area healthcare demand. The year-one figure is competitive, though median debt of $26,500 is on the higher end for nursing nationally. The B+ grade reflects the strong labor market offset by above-average debt for this program type.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (95 graduates) earns $73,833 year one and $126,638 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.257 (ROI grade B+). The four-year jump to $126k reflects GWU finance graduates moving into investment banking, private equity, and financial analysis roles in DC and New York. Median debt of $19,000 is low for a finance graduate at a private university, making this one of the stronger ROI programs in the school.
Biology
Biology (68 graduates) earns $32,354 year one and $70,444 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.767 (ROI grade D). The D grade and low year-one earnings reflect that GWU biology graduates heavily pursue medical or graduate school, suppressing the 6-year Scorecard earnings figure. The four-year figure of $70k is decent and likely improves substantially in years 8-12 for those completing professional degrees. Students using biology as a pre-med track should not be deterred by the ROI grade but should budget for graduate school costs.
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 |
GWU accepts 47.1% of applicants -- moderately selective but not highly so. SAT 670-750 Math and 680-750 Reading, ACT 31-34 reflect the middle 50%. GWU's location is a material factor in admissions self-selection: students who specifically want DC access apply; others choose more conventional selective research universities. The aid model provides meaningful support to low-income students but is less generous than peer schools at the highest income tier.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
GWU (ROI 88) sits in a peer group that includes American University, The Catholic University of America, Santa Clara University, University of San Diego, and Syracuse University. GWU leads this group on overall ROI score: American University has comparable DC placement but lower earnings outcomes; Catholic University (ROI 77) has a lower payback period advantage but weaker earnings and completion. Santa Clara (private Jesuit in Silicon Valley) has strong STEM and business outcomes that compete with GWU's CS pipeline. Syracuse's Newhouse School is a notable competitor in communications and journalism. GWU's 84% completion rate and 5.1-year payback are the strongest metrics in this peer cluster.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
GWU fits students targeting policy, international affairs, government, and public health careers who want proximity to DC's institutional network. The 47.1% acceptance rate makes it moderately selective -- SAT mid-range is 670-750 Math and 680-750 Reading, ACT 31-34. At 11,182 enrolled students, it is mid-size with a strong commuter and internship culture given its Foggy Bottom location. Students who thrive at schools with heavy extracurricular internship demands and a policy-oriented culture fit well; students seeking a traditional residential campus with strong sports culture may find it less compelling. Pell grant rate of 15.8% reflects a less economically diverse student body relative to many peer institutions.
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.
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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.