Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Washington and Lee University
- Georgetown Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 20
- Washington Lee Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington and Lee University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgetown University achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $40,815 compared to Washington and Lee University's $23,781 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington and Lee University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $94,810 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than Washington and Lee University
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington Lee
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,781, roughly $17,034 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); Washington Lee in Business & Marketing (32%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Georgetown University over Washington and Lee University. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $94,810.
Pick Washington and Lee University over Georgetown University. Net price $23,781 vs $40,815.
Pick Georgetown University over Washington and Lee University. 1.9% mobility rate vs 0.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Washington and Lee University are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Georgetown University is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while Washington and Lee University takes 14%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,498.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgetown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Washington and Lee University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,781, about $17,034 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $68,136 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington and Lee University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $94,810 at Washington and Lee University. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Washington and Lee University, it is 0.6%. Georgetown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington and Lee University to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Washington and Lee University saves about $17,034 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $8,684 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Legal Studies, while Washington and Lee University leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Washington and Lee University's $23,781.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Washington and Lee University's 1,881.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,500, against $15,500 at Georgetown University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgetown holds onto its admits more tightly: 44% of admitted students enroll, versus 41% at Washington Lee — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington Lee offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Washington Lee, where only about 44% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Washington and Lee University draws students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply in their studies. This private institution, located in Lexington, Virginia, is known for strong programs in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Physical Sciences. If you’re looking for a place that encourages critical thinking and a close-knit community, this might just be the right fit for you.
Graduates from Washington and Lee see impressive earnings, with a median income of $94,810 ten years after graduation. This kind of financial outcome suggests that students who excel here are well-prepared for the job market and often find themselves in higher-paying positions. The strong graduation rate of 94% also points to a supportive environment that helps students succeed academically and transition smoothly into their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Washington and Lee, the net price after aid stands at $23,781, which is relatively manageable given the high earning potential post-graduation. With a median debt of $19,500, students can graduate with a reasonable amount of loans, especially considering the high salaries many alumni achieve. Those who thrive here are typically driven, engaged, and ready to make the most of their educational experience.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington and Lee University is featured on the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while Washington Lee leads with Business Administration (32%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Washington Lee).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Legal Studies, while Washington and Lee University concentrates in Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Georgetown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or Washington and Lee University?
Georgetown University is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 14% at Washington and Lee University.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,781 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Georgetown University or Washington and Lee University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $94,810 at Washington and Lee University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Washington and Lee University?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Georgetown University vs Washington and Lee University: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 0.6%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Washington and Lee University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington and Lee University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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