George Washington University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Washington, District of Columbia · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
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George Washington University is a private nonprofit university in Washington, District of Columbia that admits about 47% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $36,586 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for International Relations and National Security Studies, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
George Washington University is a private institution located in Washington, District of Columbia with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, George Washington University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 47%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1390 and an ACT composite around 32. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,586 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about George Washington University right now
George Washington University sits in Foggy Bottom, a few blocks from the White House, and its admissions profile reflects that location more than its headline rate suggests. For the Fall 2024 entering class GW received 27,006 first-year applications, admitted 12,718 for a 47 percent admit rate, and enrolled 2,459 students. That rate reads far less competitive than the academic profile behind it: admitted students who submitted scores posted a middle 50 percent SAT composite of 1360 to 1470 and an ACT composite of 30 to 33. Only 535 of those applicants were District of Columbia residents, so GW is in practice a national private university with almost no in-state pipeline, and families should not expect any residency advantage or in-state pricing. The draw for most parents is placement rather than selectivity: the Foggy Bottom location puts internships at government agencies, advocacy organisations, think tanks and international institutions within commuting distance during the term rather than only over the summer, which is unusual at the undergraduate level and is the reason cost-conscious families weigh GW against cheaper flagships.
What GPA does my child need for George Washington University?
Admitted students at George Washington University typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What does George Washington University weight in admissions?
George Washington University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores George Washington University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 670–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 700. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1310 |
| 50th percentile | 1390 |
| 75th percentile | 1450 |
| % submitting SAT | 36.51% |
| 25th percentile | 31 |
| 50th percentile | 32 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 13.89% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Required for some
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 44.11% |
| Top 25% of class | 77.45% |
| Top 50% of class | 95.61% |
| % submitting class rank | 20.83% |
How much does George Washington University actually cost?
Published tuition is $67,710 for in-state students and $67,710 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,920 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,586 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $72,000 |
| Room and board | $18,160 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $36,586 |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for George Washington University
| Regular deadline | January 5 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 (or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter) |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 5 |
Will my child graduate from George Washington University?
These predict outcomes at George Washington University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at George Washington University
The most popular undergraduate programs at George Washington University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are International Relations and National Security Studies, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, George Washington University confers roughly 1,778 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its International Relations and National Security Studies program report a median income of about $84,705 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 537 | $84,705 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 311 | $91,325 |
| Political Science and Government | 310 | $86,946 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 154 | — |
| Economics | 145 | $104,484 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 119 | $131,971 |
| Public Health | 116 | $74,440 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 86 | $73,045 |
Is George Washington University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), George Washington University disclosed 58 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 36 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at George Washington University?
About 58% of undergraduates at George Washington University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 11% of men join a fraternity and 15% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in District of Columbia parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Auburn University46% acceptance · Alabama
- St Olaf College48% acceptance · Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin-Madison45% acceptance · Wisconsin
- Rhodes College50% acceptance · Tennessee
- University of Maryland-College Park45% acceptance · Maryland
- Providence College51% acceptance · Rhode Island
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology44% acceptance · New Mexico
Next steps for George Washington University
Common questions parents ask about George Washington University
What GPA do I need for George Washington University?
Admitted students at George Washington University typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What SAT or ACT score does George Washington University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 670–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 700. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.
How much does George Washington University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at George Washington University after grants and scholarships is $36,586 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $67,710. Budget against the net figure.
Is George Washington University realistic for my child?
George Washington University admits 47% of applicants, so 670–750 SAT Math is target range and below 670 is a reach. Then check the $36,586 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at George Washington University?
George Washington University accepts about 47% of applicants out of roughly 27,034 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is George Washington University test-optional?
Yes. George Washington University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at George Washington University?
About 83% of students at George Washington University graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does George Washington University look for in applicants?
George Washington University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is George Washington University a public or private school, and where is it located?
George Washington University is a private nonprofit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia.
What are the most popular majors at George Washington University?
The largest undergraduate majors at George Washington University by annual graduates are International Relations and National Security Studies, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 1,778 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is George Washington University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
George Washington University reported 58 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at George Washington University?
At George Washington University, 58% of undergraduates live on campus, 11% of men are in fraternities, 15% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by George Washington University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers