George Washington University combines selective admission with exceptional post-graduation earnings performance. Located in Washington D.C., the university produces graduates earning among the top 5% nationally while maintaining manageable debt levels, creating strong long-term financial positioning for career advancement.
With well above average performance, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational costs
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher costs relative to family financial capacity
With above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, combining access with strong outcomes for economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional earnings in the nation's capital
George Washington University ranks #396 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with overall performance at the 75.7th percentile. Located in Washington, D.C., this large private nonprofit university admits 43.5% of applicants while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
GWU enrolls 14.8% Pell-eligible students and 16.1% first-generation students, reflecting a student body with limited low-income representation relative to national averages. Graduates earn $90,873 ten years after enrollment, placing George Washington University at the 97th percentile nationally for earnings.
This positions the institution as a Selective Achiever, combining strong outcomes with limited access for low-income students. The university demonstrates well above average return performance at the 90th percentile, driven by strong long-term earnings that significantly exceed peer institutions by $14,302 annually.
George Washington University delivers strong earnings outcomes despite earning $8,058 below expectations relative to student demographics, placing it in the 22nd percentile for earnings beyond expectations. Graduates earn a median of $90,873 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 97th percentile nationally among all institutions.
Earnings range from $62,102 at the 25th percentile to $130,294 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.1:1 ratio that reflects meaningful variation across programs and career paths. Low-income graduates earn $95,600, ranking among the top 5% nationally for this outcome metric.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings who can navigate selective admission standards. Well-suited for those prioritizing career outcomes in business, international affairs, and professional fields in the nation's capital.
The combination of high earnings potential and Washington D.C. location benefits students focused on careers in government, consulting, and international business.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the George Washington University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/george-washington-university/analysis.
George Washington University admits 43.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the selective category, requiring above-average academic credentials for competitive consideration.
The peer median admission rate of 69.4% highlights that George Washington University is significantly more selective than typical private universities, accepting 25.8 percentage points fewer applicants than peer institutions. This level of selectivity means that academically strong students still face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, though the odds are considerably better than at the most elite institutions.
Students should approach George Washington University as a target school if their academic profile aligns with admitted student characteristics, while recognizing that admission is not guaranteed even for well-qualified candidates. The combination of Washington D.C. location and strong career outcomes likely drives high application volume relative to available seats.
For this reason, students considering George Washington University should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable career preparation and geographic advantages. The sections below provide specific guidance on academic expectations and alternative schools that deliver similar outcomes with different admission profiles.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
George Washington University's published cost of attendance reaches $80,727 annually, including $64,990 in tuition, $16,300 for room and board, and $1,400 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $37,454 after financial aid, representing savings of $43,273 from the sticker price.
This net price places the university above the peer median of $33,531 by $3,923, indicating higher costs than similar private institutions. The financial aid system provides meaningful support, reducing costs by more than half for the average student.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $21,396 for families earning under $30,000 to $53,974 for families earning over $110,000. This represents a $32,578 gap between the lowest and highest income tiers, reflecting the university's progressive aid structure that concentrates support toward lower-income families.
The cost structure aligns with George Washington University's position as a selective private university in an expensive metropolitan area, where both educational costs and living expenses exceed national averages.
George Washington University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth across the post-graduation trajectory. Median earnings rise from $71,607 six years after enrollment to $78,974 at eight years and $90,873 at ten years, representing 26.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohort sizes of 1,602 graduates at six years, 1,537 at eight years, and 1,738 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $8,058 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing George Washington University in the 22nd percentile for earnings uplift.
However, the absolute earnings level ranks at the 97th percentile, indicating strong labor market outcomes regardless of the value-added measurement. Low-income graduates earn $95,600, ranking among the top 5% nationally and demonstrating the university's ability to generate strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds despite limited enrollment of this population.
Approximately 25.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting the university's role in preparing students for advanced education pathways.
Artificial Intelligence.
39 graduates
International Business.
132 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
153 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
51 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
53 graduates
George Washington University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. International Business ranks #1 nationally, graduating 132 students with median earnings of $101,930 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #16 nationally, producing 153 graduates earning $101,012. International Relations ranks #5 nationally and represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 538 students annually with median earnings of $68,447.
American Government and Politics ranks #15 nationally, graduating 311 students with earnings of $72,844. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #80 nationally but maintains strong enrollment with 303 graduates earning $79,066.
Engineering programs include Artificial Intelligence (#27 nationally), Bioengineering (#18 nationally), and Mechanical Engineering (#31 nationally), demonstrating the university's strength across business, policy, health, and technical fields that align with Washington D.C.'s professional landscape.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Capitol Technology University Higher acceptance rate (34.4 percentage points higher) and located 15 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 78% | $85,035 | Compare |
Loyola University Maryland Higher acceptance rate (32.8 percentage points higher) and located 38 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 76% | $82,652 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (38.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
Clarkson University Higher acceptance rate (33.6 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | NY | 77% | $89,696 | Compare |
Georgetown University Same state (2 miles away) (earnings difference: 13.9%) and similar program focus; same institution type | DC | 13% | $103,494 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mercy University Similar quality tier (#379 ranked) | NY | 85% | $52,055 | #379 | Compare |
Tufts University Similar quality tier (#378 ranked) | MA | 10% | $83,214 | #378 | Compare |
Rochester Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#355 ranked) | NY | 71% | $76,571 | #355 | Compare |
University Of Miami Similar quality tier in Southeast (#353 ranked) | FL | 19% | $75,328 | #353 | Compare |
Wake Forest University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#352 ranked) | NC | 22% | $78,158 | #352 | Compare |