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George Washington University vs Strayer University-Global Region: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Washington DC · vs · Private for-profit, Washington DC

The verdict

George Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $146,344 in 3.4 years versus not at all at Strayer University-Global Region, on median earnings of $90,873 vs $40,092 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorge Washington UniversityStrayer University-Global Region
Net price / yr$36,586$17,833
Total net cost$146,344$71,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$90,873$40,092
Median debt$20,449$40,621
Payback3.4 yrs
20-year net return$703,916-$236,692

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, George Washington University or Strayer University-Global Region?

Strayer University-Global Region, at $17,833 a year after aid versus $36,586 — a gap of $18,753 a year, or $75,012 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 Strayer University-Global Region graduates earn more?

George Washington University graduates report a median $90,873 ten years after entry, $50,781 more than the $40,092 at Strayer University-Global Region. 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 Strayer University-Global Region?

George Washington University: its completers carry a median $20,449 in federal loans versus $40,621 at Strayer University-Global Region, a difference of $20,172. 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 14% at Strayer University-Global Region. 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.

George Washington University vs Strayer University-Global Region: frequently asked questions

Is George Washington University or Strayer University-Global Region a better value?
George Washington University. It clears its $146,344 net cost in about 3.4 years versus no clear payback at Strayer University-Global Region, on median earnings of $90,873 vs $40,092 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, George Washington University or Strayer University-Global Region?
Strayer University-Global Region: $17,833/yr net price after aid versus $36,586/yr at George Washington University — a difference of $18,753 a year, or about $75,012 over four years.
Do George Washington University or Strayer University-Global Region graduates earn more?
George Washington University graduates earn a median $90,873 ten years after entry, versus $40,092 at Strayer University-Global Region — a $50,781 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.