Head-to-Head Comparison
Georgetown University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Georgetown Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 12
- Washington St Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis 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 University in St Louis's $21,786 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington University in St Louis benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,182 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, 20% more than Washington University in St Louis
- 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 St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $19,029 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #38
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgetown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (36% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 University in St Louis. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Georgetown University. Net price $21,786 vs $40,815.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Georgetown University. THE World Rank #38 vs #164.
Pick Georgetown University over Washington University in St Louis. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Georgetown University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Georgetown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,487 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis 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 University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $19,029 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $76,116 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis 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 $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% 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 University in St Louis, it is 1%. Georgetown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Washington University in St Louis sits higher, at #38 versus #164.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington University in St Louis 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 University in St Louis saves about $19,029 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $17,312 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, with a 12% admit rate, but Georgetown University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Washington University in St Louis ranks higher globally (#38 vs #164), but Georgetown University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Georgetown University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Engineering, 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 University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Washington University in St Louis has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington St 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 St, where only about 61% 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 University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgetown's top program is Sociology (36% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Georgetown University is strongest in Legal Studies, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Engineering. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Georgetown University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Georgetown University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Georgetown University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Georgetown University or Washington University in St Louis?
Georgetown University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 94%.
Georgetown University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1%.
Should you choose Georgetown University or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis 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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