Computer Engineering at George Washington University

Computer engineering degrees typically lead to strong starting salaries, and George Washington's program appears positioned in that mainstream—with peer programs nationally suggesting around $79,000 in first-year earnings. That's solidly middle-of-the-pack for this field, neither leading nor lagging the national benchmark. The estimated $26,000 in debt sits just above the national median, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33—meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary, a manageable threshold by most measures.

What's harder to assess is whether GW's premium location and selective admissions (median SAT of 1433) translate into better career outcomes than these national estimates suggest. The District offers proximity to federal contractors and tech employers, potentially accelerating salary growth beyond what typical computer engineering programs deliver. However, without actual reported data from GW's graduates, you're relying on what similar programs produce elsewhere rather than evidence of this specific program's track record.

The financial fundamentals look sound based on comparable programs, but recognize you're betting on a school whose computer engineering outcomes remain unverified. If proximity to DC's tech sector and GW's network matter to your family, the estimated debt burden won't likely derail your child's finances. Just understand you're making that judgment without the concrete evidence you'd want for a program at this price point.