At $37,454/yr net price, George Washington University graduates earn $90,873/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $56,873/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $37,454 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $149,816 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,873/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$56,873/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,449 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,396/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,171/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,863/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,540/yr |
| $110,001+ | $53,974/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering. | Doctoral | $146,893 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $127,142 | $61,789 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $114,046 | $61,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $106,421 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Doctoral | $106,421 | |
| Public Health. | Certificate | $104,192 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $104,192 | $41,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $104,061 | $139,995 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $101,964 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $101,254 | $52,641 |
The Risk Factor
85.2% of students at George Washington University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
George Washington University gives you a strong financial return, but the cost gate is high. You pay near $37k a year at the median, and the sticker for families over $110k tops $53k. What makes GW work is the payoff on the back end: a median grad earns around $90k ten years out while carrying roughly $20k in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy, and an 85% graduation rate with a 92% retention rate means most who enroll actually finish and get to that payoff.
The highest-paying bachelor's programs here cluster in engineering and computing. Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer and Information Sciences all land in the mid-$70k range early, and Computer and Information Sciences graduates do it with only about $15k in debt. Finance follows close behind, which fits GW's DC location and its pipeline into federal agencies, consulting, and financial services in the DC-Maryland-Virginia corridor. Notice these top programs all pay in the low-to-mid $70k range early, so no single major dominates. your choice matters less than at schools with one lopsided winner.
The risk at GW is the price for higher-income families. If your family earns over $110k, you pay close to full freight, and that only pays back if you finish in a high-earning field and avoid piling on debt beyond the median. For families earning under $48k, the net price drops into the $18k-$21k range, which changes the math entirely and makes GW a reasonable bet.
GW fits you if you target engineering, computing, or finance and want DC-area employers. If you're borrowing heavily for a lower-paying major at the full-price tier, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is George Washington University worth the high tuition cost?
George Washington University's $37,454 annual net price is steep, but graduates earn $90,873 after 10 years, which is solid for the DC job market. The payoff depends heavily on your major - engineering and nursing students do well, while other programs may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at George Washington University?
Systems Engineering leads at $146,893 in median earnings, followed by nursing programs at $127,142. Business administration graduates earn around $114,046, making these three areas the strongest financial bets at GW.
How much debt do George Washington University students typically graduate with?
The median debt load is $20,449, which is manageable compared to the school's high sticker price. This suggests financial aid helps offset costs, though your actual debt will depend on your family's financial situation.
Does George Washington University provide good value compared to other DC area schools?
GW's location in downtown DC provides strong internship and job opportunities, but you pay a premium for it. The 85% graduation rate is solid, though the high net price means you need to pick a major that actually pays off in the Washington job market.