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Georgetown University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Washington, DC · 7,569 students

The verdict

Georgetown University charges a net price of $40,815/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $163,260. Graduates earn a median $103,494 ten years after entry, $55,134/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $939,420, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Georgetown University's 3-year payback ranks #175 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #1 of 9 in District of Columbia.

Better ROI than 86% of US colleges#175 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$40,815
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$103,494
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
3 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
13%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Georgetown University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$40,815/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$163,260our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$103,494Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$55,134/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$15,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback3 yrsour math
20-year net return$939,420our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Georgetown University's own numbers. Net price $40,815 × 4 years = $163,260 total. Median earnings $103,494 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $55,134 a year of premium. $163,260 ÷ $55,134 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $939,420. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Georgetown University students graduate with?

A median $15,500 in federal loans among completers, or 15% of the $103,494 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Georgetown University students graduate?

95% finish their degree. Spread the $163,260 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $171,853 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Georgetown University expensive compared with other District of Columbia colleges?

Its $40,815 net price runs $11,254 above the $29,561 median across the 9 District of Columbia colleges we profile, or $45,016 more across the full degree.

Georgetown University: frequently asked questions

Is Georgetown University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Georgetown University charges $40,815/yr after aid ($163,260 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $103,494 ten years out — $55,134/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 3 years and returns $939,420 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Georgetown University degree take to pay off?
About 3 years. We divide the $163,260 four-year net cost by the $55,134/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Georgetown University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $40,815/yr — about $163,260 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Georgetown University compare to other District of Columbia colleges?
It ranks #1 of 9 District of Columbia colleges we track by payback. Its $103,494 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $40,815 net price is above the national median of $16,902.