Biomedical/Medical Engineering at George Washington University

George Washington's biomedical engineering program graduates earn nearly $70,000 in their first year—about $5,000 above the national median for this major—and see substantial salary growth to nearly $98,000 by year four. That 40% earnings trajectory suggests graduates are landing in strong technical roles and advancing quickly. With $23,000 in debt (a third of first-year earnings), the financial picture looks manageable, particularly for an engineering degree from a well-regarded urban campus.

However, the small sample size here demands caution. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift significantly with just a few data points. DC only has three schools offering this program, so the 60th percentile state ranking is less meaningful than the national comparison, where GW lands in the 71st percentile—above average but not elite territory. For context, you're paying for a competitive private university (average SAT: 1433, 44% admission rate) but getting earnings that, while solid, aren't dramatically outpacing less selective options.

The math works if your child is confident about biomedical engineering as a career path and values GW's DC location for internships and networking. But given the limited data and the fact that you're not seeing standout returns compared to other biomedical programs nationally, this feels like a bet on the GW credential and location rather than program-specific outcomes. If cost is a major factor, verify current financial aid offers carefully before committing.