Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at George Washington University
Bachelor's Degree
gwu.eduAnalysis
Drawing on national patterns for electrical engineering programs, this degree would command strong starting salaries—around $77,700—while carrying an estimated $26,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 sits comfortably in favorable territory, suggesting graduates could manage repayment while still building financial stability. The challenge here is that George Washington operates in a limited comparison set: DC has only three electrical engineering programs total, and none publish specific outcomes data, making it harder to assess how this particular program stacks up locally.
What we can say is that electrical engineering degrees, broadly speaking, represent one of the more reliable pathways to immediate earning power. Comparable programs nationally hit that $77,700 median with reasonable consistency, and the field's technical demands typically translate to employer willingness to pay. At a school with George Washington's academic profile—44% admission rate, 1433 average SAT—you'd expect the program to deliver somewhere near or above these national benchmarks, though the selective DC market and higher cost of living could cut both ways on starting compensation.
The practical question is whether GW's premium tuition (the estimated $26,000 debt figure actually tracks slightly above the national median of about $25,000) delivers corresponding career advantages through internships, industry connections, or employer prestige in the DC metro area. Without program-specific data, you're betting on the university's broader reputation in a field where technical skills often matter more than institutional brand.
Where George Washington University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $64,990 | $77,710* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $63,829 | $139,337* | $149,740 | $22,250* | 0.16 | |
| $14,850 | $137,295* | $202,911 | $14,437* | 0.11 | |
| $60,156 | $117,345* | $172,897 | $11,935* | 0.10 | |
| $66,014 | $100,516* | $118,743 | $14,750* | 0.15 | |
| $11,678 | $96,997* | $106,557 | $20,500* | 0.21 | |
| National Median | — | $77,710* | — | $24,989* | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical, electronics and communications engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Aerospace Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At George Washington University, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 262 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.