George Washington University vs The Catholic University of America: 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 4.8 years at The Catholic University of America, on median earnings of $90,873 vs $73,250 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | George Washington University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,586 | $29,561 |
| Total net cost | $146,344 | $118,244 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,873 | $73,250 |
| Median debt | $20,449 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $703,916 | $379,556 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, George Washington University or The Catholic University of America?
The Catholic University of America, at $29,561 a year after aid versus $36,586 — a gap of $7,025 a year, or $28,100 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 The Catholic University of America graduates earn more?
George Washington University graduates report a median $90,873 ten years after entry, $17,623 more than the $73,250 at The Catholic University of America. 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 The Catholic University of America?
George Washington University: its completers carry a median $20,449 in federal loans versus $26,000 at The Catholic University of America, a difference of $5,551. 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 79% at The Catholic University of America. 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.