George Washington University: the complete school report for parents

What does George Washington University actually weigh in admissions?

George Washington University rates 2 of the 18 factors "Very Important": course rigor, GPA. It does not consider 4 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is George Washington University's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What is the George Washington University waitlist really like?

George Washington University offered a place on its waiting list to 6,084 applicants and 2,858 accepted one. 616 were ultimately admitted. That is 21.6% of those who waited.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

George Washington University admitted 60.1% of 2,229 transfer applicants, against 47.1% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

George Washington University reports its early rounds below.

What will George Washington University actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $36,586 a year at George Washington University after grants and scholarships, against a published in-state tuition of $72,000. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 91% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 617 merit awards averaging $25,357 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

32% of George Washington University graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $34,685 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $217 a month in repayment. George Washington University’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from George Washington University pay off?

Graduates earn a median $90,873 ten years after entering, and $71,607 at six years. 89% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 80% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

$140,173 to $33,758, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at George Washington University:

College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.

Will my child actually graduate?

91% of first-years return for a second year. 83% within six (Fall 2019 cohort). The rate holds up across income: 82.1% of Pell-grant recipients graduate within six years against 81.0% of everyone else, a gap of -1.1 points.

How big are the classes?

52% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 2% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and 49% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

What is life at George Washington University like?

11,495 undergraduates, 97.4% of first-years from out of state. 95.14% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 58.16% across all undergraduates. Greek life is small: 10.94% of men join a fraternity and 15.03% of women a sorority. 16% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $85,677.

What this means for your student

• Course rigor is rated Very Important here, so the senior-year schedule should hold its AP, IB or honors depth rather than lighten.
• The waitlist is live but thin: 616 of 2,858 who waited were admitted, about 22%.
• Its highest-earning major returns $140,173 five years out against $33,758 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about George Washington University

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