Georgetown combines highly selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation outcomes. Graduates earn among the highest salaries nationally while maintaining manageable debt levels well below peer institutions. The university's Washington, DC location and strong alumni networks support outstanding career advancement opportunities across business, government, and international affairs.
The university's outstanding long-term earnings relative to educational investment and placing it among the top 3% nationally
Higher costs and limited affordability compared to peer institutions
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to similar selective institutions
Strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds who gain admission
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisGeorgetown delivers exceptional earnings outcomes that justify its premium positioning in higher education. Graduates earn a median of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99th percentile nationally.
This places Georgetown among the top 5% of institutions we track for long-term earnings. Earnings range from $66,808 at the 25th percentile to $167,685 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating strong outcomes across career paths.
Students seeking exceptional post-graduation earnings in business, economics, and policy fields at a highly selective institution. Georgetown's Selective Achievers profile combines rigorous academics with outstanding career outcomes, making it well-suited for students who can handle competitive admission (13.1% acceptance) and prioritize long-term earning potential over broad accessibility.
Georgetown admits approximately 13.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 8 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Georgetown among the highly selective universities in the United States, specifically in the 10-25% admission rate tier.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Georgetown's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private universities, Georgetown's 13% acceptance rate represents significant competitive pressure.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Georgetown's published cost of attendance reaches $84,696 per year, including $65,081 in tuition, $19,750 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $39,433 after financial aid, representing savings of $45,263 through institutional grant assistance and federal aid programs.
This net price of $39,433 exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $12,290, positioning Georgetown as a premium-priced institution even after financial aid. The substantial gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates Georgetown's commitment to need-based financial aid, though the final cost remains elevated compared to similar institutions.
Georgetown's high published price reflects its position as an elite private university in an expensive metropolitan area, while the financial aid discount indicates institutional recognition that few families can afford the full sticker price. Students should understand that Georgetown's net price represents a significant financial commitment that exceeds typical college costs, though the long-term earnings outcomes may justify this premium for families who can manage the investment.
The financial aid structure suggests Georgetown prioritizes need-based assistance while maintaining revenue through high net prices for families with greater financial capacity.
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
60 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
202 graduates
Computer Science.
52 graduates
Information Resources Management.
87 graduates
Clinical Research Coordinator.
32 graduates
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
George Washington University Higher acceptance rate (30.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 2 miles away; similar graduate earnings | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Georgetown University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/georgetown-university/analysis.
Top 1% nationally for graduate earnings
Georgetown University ranks #167 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with return performance at the 97.5th percentile. Located in Washington, DC, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 13.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Georgetown enrolls 10.3% Pell-eligible students and 16.1% first-generation students, reflecting more limited access compared to typical institutions but strong support for enrolled students. Graduates earn $2,465 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 65.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $103,494 ten years after enrollment, placing Georgetown at the 99th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $40,428 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions and outstanding earnings outcomes places Georgetown within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while delivering strong post-graduation results.
This level of selectivity means that many exceptionally qualified students—including those with strong test scores, outstanding grades, and impressive extracurricular achievements—face uncertainty in the admission process. Students who would excel at Georgetown may not receive admission due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.
For this reason, students considering Georgetown should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic rigor and career outcomes. The sections below provide guidance on building a balanced application strategy and identify alternative institutions that deliver similar post-graduation results with more accessible admission processes.
Georgetown graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth and exceptional long-term outcomes. Median earnings rise from $83,222 six years after enrollment to $88,766 at eight years and $103,494 at ten years, representing 24.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,095 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $2,465 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Georgetown in the 65.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $150,200, ranking among the top 5% nationally and demonstrating the university's ability to produce exceptional outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $66,808 at the 25th percentile to $167,685 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.5:1 ratio that indicates meaningful variation in career trajectories.
Approximately 19.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. The earnings performance places Georgetown among the most successful institutions nationally for post-graduation economic outcomes.
Georgetown offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive ranking. American Government and Politics ranks #12 nationally and #1 in DC, producing 280 graduates with median earnings of $74,225 and a value score of 96.3.
International Relations and Affairs ranks #7 nationally and #2 in DC, graduating 251 students with median earnings of $70,549. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #3 nationally and #1 in DC, with 202 graduates earning $126,672.
Applied Economics ranks #46 nationally and #1 in DC, graduating 179 students with median earnings of $92,475. Information Resources Management ranks #1 nationally and #1 in DC, graduating 87 students with median earnings of $113,090.
Several programs hold #1 national rankings, including Science, Technology and Society and Digital Marketing, reflecting Georgetown's academic excellence across multiple disciplines.
Bucknell University Higher acceptance rate (18.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 32% | $93,807 | Compare |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Higher acceptance rate (45.4 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 59% | $103,470 | Compare |
George Washington University Same state (2 miles away) (earnings difference: 12.2%) and similar program focus; same institution type | DC | 44% | $90,873 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-College Park Same region (9 miles away) (earnings difference: 19.9%) and similar program focus | MD | 45% | $82,860 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston College Similar quality tier (#172 ranked) | MA | 16% | $103,937 | #172 | Compare |
Bentley University Similar quality tier (#159 ranked) | MA | 48% | $120,959 | #159 | Compare |
Emory University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#158 ranked) | GA | 11% | $80,137 | #158 | Compare |
Drexel University Similar quality tier (#183 ranked) | PA | 78% | $84,648 | #183 | Compare |
Saint Xavier University Similar quality tier (#186 ranked) | IL | 86% | $58,656 | #186 | Compare |
