Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at George Washington University

George Washington University charges significantly more than most programs nationally—graduates here carry $21,000 in debt versus a $23,250 national median, which sounds modest until you realize this ranks in the 74th percentile for borrowing. That matters because GW's management sciences program delivers first-year earnings of $66,362, which beats the national median by about $4,300 but falls well short of what DC-area employers typically pay. With only three programs in the district, comparison points are limited, but Georgetown's graduates earn $92,963—nearly $27,000 more. For context, the median DC program produces $79,662, meaning GW underperforms the local market by roughly $13,300 despite operating in the same talent pool.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is manageable on paper, and graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loans. But the value equation hinges on why DC-area earnings lag behind peers: are GW grads taking different roles, entering less lucrative sectors, or simply facing tougher competition? At a selective university with a 1433 average SAT, you'd expect stronger placement outcomes.

The small sample size here is a real limitation—fewer than 30 recent graduates means one unusually successful or struggling cohort could skew everything. If your child is considering this program specifically for the DC job market, understand they'll likely earn less than peers from Georgetown while borrowing more than the typical management sciences graduate nationwide. The math works, but barely.