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George Washington University

George Washington University

Washington, DC · City · 11,182 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$36,586
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
85%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$90,873
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
47%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in the historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood just blocks from the White House, George Washington University is best known for its world-class programs in international affairs, political communication, public policy, and public health, anchored by the prestigious Elliott School of International Affairs. The university’s defining characteristic is its seamless integration into the nation’s capital, providing undergraduates with unmatched access to high-impact internships, research, and networking across federal agencies, global NGOs, and foreign embassies. Student life is distinctly urban, ambitious, and politically engaged, fostering a career-driven community of students who frequently balance rigorous academics with real-world professional experience.

Wikipedia:The George Washington University is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Chartered in 1821 by the United States Congress as the Columbian College, it is the first university founded under Washington, D.C.'s jurisdiction and one of six federally chartered universities in the United States.

Location
Washington, DC, 20052 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
DCA · Washington DC
3 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$67,710
Housing & food (on campus)$16,920
Books & supplies$1,450
Cost of attendance$95,155
Average net price$36,586
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$67,710
Housing & food (on campus)$16,920
Books & supplies$1,450
Cost of attendance$95,155
Average net price$36,586
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: financialaid.gwu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
George Washington University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$72,000
Fees$420
Books & supplies$1,450
Personal expenses$1,700
Transportation$1,075
Total published by the school$95,155
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,440
$30–48k
$17,292
$48–75k
$22,080
$75–110k
$28,100
$110k+
$55,337
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$22,037
Share of first-years who get one30%
Source: George Washington University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
85%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
76%
Back for yr 2
92%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
85% graduated · 11% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$71,607
10 yrs after entry$90,873
Debt
Median at graduation$20,449
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$12k–$29.4k
90th percentile$34,900
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
47%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1433
R 680–750 · M 670–750
ACT midpoint
32
Comp 31–34 · E 32–35 · M 27–32
SAT middle 50%: 1350–1500
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at George Washington University: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: George Washington University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If George Washington University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 36%Women 64%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
16%
Family income
$71,358
Independent
16%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
4%
Race & ethnicity
White
48%
Hispanic
14%
Black
8%
Asian
16%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$71,607
After 10 yrs
$90,873
International Relations and National Security Studies511
Political Science and Government305
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing272
Business Administration, Management and Operations156
Public Health129
Economics112
Psychology, General110
Finance and Financial Management Services95
Biology, General68
International Business66
Criminal Justice and Corrections63
Research and Experimental Psychology60
Computer Science55
Marketing54
History54
Biomedical/Medical Engineering53
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$2.6B
Full-time faculty
49%
Faculty salary
$16,784/mo
Teaching spend
$24,525
per student
Federal loans
32%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$382M research spending · 225 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if George Washington University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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