Does Georgetown Masters offer better ROI than other RE masters programs? Tuition comparisons

Georgetown's tuition is substantially lower than other programs. Obviously, there are far more factors in ROI calculations other than just tuition cost, but Georgetown looks a solid option, if you want to work in DC area. You could intern part time during masters, land FT and then finish degree while you work FT.

Tuition only: Georgetown (part time, flexible, 33 units) - 42k NYU (part time, flexible, 44 units) - variable depending on what load you take, 68k if you take full load (12 units), 80-85k if you take less than full load Columbia (full time, 1 year) - 79k MIT (Full time, 1 year, but can extend to 1.5 years) - 74K USC (Full time - 1 year, part time - 2 years) - 83k Cornell (Full time - 2 years) - 104k John Hopkins (Full time - 1 year, part time - 2 years, 36 credits) - 64k full time, 46k part time

29 Comments
 

IMO, the opportunity cost of enrolling in a full time program adds another $80-150K+ to whatever your tuition basis is, plus lost experience for that year (not easily quantifiable). A major benefit of Georgetown is that it is a highly reputable name/competitive with all of the other programs you listed (probably not #1), but allows students to continue working/getting deal reps/whatever during that time period. Look at your list--NYU is one of the only other programs that offers this flexibility. For me that was a huge part of a personal ROI analysis.

 

People already in the industry who are getting it are getting it as part of a larger credentials "arms race." You get it because the next guy is getting it. Classic case of a credential creating artificial demand.

I do agree that I don't have a clear picture of what non-industry people are doing with the credential, but as a Gtown student and a person in the business, the low cost and almost no opportunity cost make it a good insurance policy.

Array
 

Currently an Associate at a decent sized firm and thinking about doing the online Georgetown program. Current location is a major 2nd tier market which doesn't have any part-time real estate programs.

What are everyone's thoughts on the online program and whether it's worth $40K for the Georgetown name in 10 years when I'm up for the SVP / Exec positions or out raising money?

 

I'd say not picking Georgetown, because of its DC location and part time nature, was an error for me, for what it's worth. My program is perfectly fine and I'm happy with the connections I made, but in hindsight, the lost income hurts way more than whatever I saved on cost of living.

As @Virginia Tech 4ever" said, the Master of Real Estate degree is part of the real estate arms race. When hundreds, and even thousands, of people are applying for every analyst opening and storming every executive's email account, the more ways you stand out, the better. Once you're on the job performance is all that matters, but getting there isn't an easy route.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Texas A&M MSRE is like 20k per year for nonresidents and 10k per year for residents. Idk why it isn't on this list but I would almost guarantee it offers the best ROI of all these schools.

Array
 

Wow, that is a crazy price--$10,000. Frankly, that price point makes sense when I think about it though. At Gtown, for example, their professional master's program building was donated; if professors are paid it is some nominal sum (they are mostly adjunct former or current professionals); and the main program cost is administration, which, to Gtown's credit, seems incredibly small. I think these real estate programs are gouging people on price, using these programs as cash cows for the universities.

Array
 

I enrolled in the Georgetown program purely for reasons mentioned previously - not to be disqualified when competing against other applicants, but the program on my resume is not a game changer in itself. An arms race, exactly. Guy next to me is tacking it on there so I might as well too. FYI I've done the majority of the program in-person but have taken two online classes as well.I went to a top 15 undergraduate university that I still rep over Georgetown but I got sick of people asking me where else when I went to school...basically like, "Yes, Northwestern undergrad." And then they'd be like "and then where'd you go..." so now I'm like.. "Georgetown.."I looked at the price of the program and the flexibility and felt like it was a no-brainer. That being said, having experienced a legitimate 'higher education' experience, this doesn't exactly cut it. This is a pure revenue-driver for Georgetown and the applicant pool who is accepted reflects it. Don't get me wrong, there are people in the program with 5 years of real RE experience who don't have to get MBAs to hit the next compensation level but there are also some complete jokers who can barely spell real estate. Come across them in a group project and you'll see what I mean quickly.All in all, depends what you're looking for. Want to add Georgetown to your resume for ~$40-50k? This is the program for you. If you're looking for something a little more substantive, perhaps consider other programs first mentioned on this thread.

 
Most Helpful

Rerum quia minus ut vel. Aut accusantium quia commodi voluptatem voluptatem. Et at aut sit delectus.

Quis sit maiores odio aut ab enim. Quae et error ut architecto quia et nemo. Unde et et architecto. Incidunt perspiciatis sequi ex provident labore. In libero dolor libero corrupti impedit quibusdam in. Temporibus quo in harum facilis rerum.

Est enim praesentium odit voluptate impedit voluptate. Sed quas qui eos tenetur quo recusandae. Rerum corporis dolor incidunt optio dignissimos sit debitis. Quidem autem harum inventore sapiente aspernatur rerum qui. Quidem dicta sunt nihil est ex in. Ut sit et provident vitae excepturi necessitatibus dolore.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”