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Return on Investment Analysis

George Washington University ROI Analysis

Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.

Quick answer

USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at George Washington University costs about $259,960 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $71,607 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 7.1 years (20-year ROI: 182%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$259,960

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$36,607/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

7.1 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

182%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

One year after graduation, George Washington University graduates earn a median salary of $66,952, which is slightly higher than the annual tuition cost of $64,990. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $71,607, and after ten years, graduates earn $90,873. The median debt for graduates is $20,449, and 32.4% of students receive financial aid.

The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.30. This suggests that the debt is manageable relative to the initial earnings.

Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for the cumulative earnings to surpass the tuition cost, is less than one year.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$64,990

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,449

Median Earnings (5yr)

$71,607

Graduation Rate

85%

Receive Financial Aid

32%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
International Relations and National Security Studies $259,960 $91,907 338%
Public Health $259,960 $82,209 263%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $259,960 $128,622 620%
Political Science and Government $259,960 $89,553 320%
Law $259,960 $125,556 597%
Health and Medical Administrative Services $259,960 $106,598 451%
Business Administration, Management and Operations $259,960 $135,286 672%
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $259,960 $48,194 2%
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $259,960 $0 N/A
Economics $259,960 $87,715 306%
International Business $259,960 $101,930 415%
Human Resources Management and Services $259,960 $187,144 1071%
Finance and Financial Management Services $259,960 $111,944 492%
Educational Administration and Supervision $259,960 $112,229 494%
Research and Experimental Psychology $259,960 $0 N/A
Medicine $259,960 $87,805 306%
Accounting and Related Services $259,960 $100,315 403%
Engineering-Related Fields $259,960 $125,960 600%
Systems Engineering $259,960 $195,597 1136%
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies $259,960 $102,646 420%
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $259,960 $0 N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions $259,960 $123,387 580%
Biology, General $259,960 $52,126 32%
Computer Software and Media Applications $259,960 $0 N/A

Peer Comparison

George Washington University Current

182%

20yr ROI

Dominican University of California

260%

20yr ROI

Williams College

183%

20yr ROI

Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

0%

20yr ROI

Wentworth Institute of Technology

350%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$259,960
Median Debt$20,449

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$259,960

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, George Washington University has an estimated 20-year ROI of 182%. The total 4-year cost is $259,960 and graduates earn a median of $71,607 within 5 years.

Methodology

ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).

The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.

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