George Washington University vs Howard University: which has better ROI?
George Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $146,344 in 3.4 years versus 13.7 years at Howard University, on median earnings of $90,873 vs $63,066 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | George Washington University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,586 | $50,539 |
| Total net cost | $146,344 | $202,156 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,873 | $63,066 |
| Median debt | $20,449 | $24,500 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | 13.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $703,916 | $91,964 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, George Washington University or Howard University?
George Washington University, at $36,586 a year after aid versus $50,539 — a gap of $13,953 a year, or $55,812 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do George Washington University or Howard University graduates earn more?
George Washington University graduates report a median $90,873 ten years after entry, $27,807 more than the $63,066 at Howard University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, George Washington University or Howard University?
George Washington University: its completers carry a median $20,449 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Howard University, a difference of $4,051. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at George Washington University, against 70% at Howard University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.