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Head-to-head comparison

Georgetown University vs The Catholic University of America: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Washington DC · vs · Private nonprofit, Washington DC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Net price / year
$40,815
Earnings, 10 years
$103,494
Payback
3 yrs

Option B Washington, DC

The Catholic University of America

Net price / year
$29,561
Earnings, 10 years
$73,250
Payback
4.8 yrs
The verdict

Georgetown University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $163,260 in 3 years versus 4.8 years at The Catholic University of America, on median earnings of $103,494 vs $73,250 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgetown UniversityThe Catholic University of America
Net price / yr$40,815$29,561
Total net cost$163,260$118,244
Median earnings, 10 yrs$103,494$73,250
Median debt$15,500$26,000
Payback3 yrs4.8 yrs
20-year net return$939,420$379,556

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America?

The Catholic University of America, at $29,561 a year after aid versus $40,815 — a gap of $11,254 a year, or $45,016 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America graduates earn more?

Georgetown University graduates report a median $103,494 ten years after entry, $30,244 more than the $73,250 at The Catholic University of America. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America?

Georgetown University: its completers carry a median $15,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at The Catholic University of America, a difference of $10,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

95% of students finish at Georgetown University, against 79% at The Catholic University of America. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Georgetown University vs The Catholic University of America: frequently asked questions

Is Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America a better value?
Georgetown University. It clears its $163,260 net cost in about 3 years versus 4.8 years at The Catholic University of America, on median earnings of $103,494 vs $73,250 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America?
The Catholic University of America: $29,561/yr net price after aid versus $40,815/yr at Georgetown University — a difference of $11,254 a year, or about $45,016 over four years.
Do Georgetown University or The Catholic University of America graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn a median $103,494 ten years after entry, versus $73,250 at The Catholic University of America — a $30,244 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.