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Washington , DC
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., The George Washington University (GW) is a prestigious institution known for its global perspective, world-class faculty, and commitment to public service. Founded in 1821, GW offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study, from business and engineering to arts and sciences. With a student body of over 26,000 from all 50 states and more than 135 countries, GW provides a vibrant and dynamic campus environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.
As an urban university, GW offers its students a unique opportunity to engage with government, nonprofit organizations, and international institutions that are based in Washington, D.C. Students benefit from close proximity to the nation's political center, gaining access to internships, networking opportunities, and career-building experiences that enhance their academic pursuits. Additionally, GW's location provides students with access to countless cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities, including renowned museums, theaters, and a vibrant social scene.
GW prides itself in fostering a community that values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. The university encourages students to think critically, engage in dialogue, and contribute to solving real-world problems. With a renowned faculty composed of accomplished scholars, professionals, and experts in their fields, GW offers a rich learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen careers. Furthermore, GW's commitment to public service is deeply ingrained in its culture, with numerous community-oriented programs and initiatives that allow students to give back and make a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Located in Washington, DC and set in an urban environment, The George Washington University is a private university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 47%. The freshman retention rate at The George Washington University is 92.23% and the six-year graduation rate is 84%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 5. The transfer application deadline is April 1.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into The George Washington University.
Quick Facts
11,677
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$69,780
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
84%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you have to know about admission policy and requirements at The George Washington University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 12,718 in 2025. The George Washington University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an outstanding educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 27% and ACT scores 12%. 60.33% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 36.26% between 1,200 and 1,399, 3.27% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 0.15% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 84.15, 13.73 between 24-29 and 2.11 in the range between 18-23.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to this school is January 5. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is April 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for The George Washington University was 92.23% in 2025, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 84%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at The George Washington University in 2025 was 25,374.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 98% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 11,677, 804 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 569.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 7,188 male and 11,506 female full-time students in 2025. 3,071 full-time graduate men and 4,255 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at The George Washington University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,753, and the number of Afro-American students was 886. 1,534 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 624 as multirace. The school also had 6 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 229 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for The George Washington University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about The George Washington University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $69,780 in 2025. Since this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $390 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,450.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at The George Washington University was $21,030 per academic year. If you only needed a dormitory room, it cost $14,730 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 69,780 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,030 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,450 |
| Total Expense | $ 92,260 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at The George Washington University.
The most recent records show that 1,252 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $63,497.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 4,447 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at The George Washington University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 4,581. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $16,782,145, and state $427,724.
$25,140
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,853 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 774 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $85,982,484. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at The George Washington University was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 2,715. This number included 1,375 male and 1,340 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at The George Washington University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about campus life at The George Washington University.
It has a campus size of 36 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This number includes sororities and fraternities. The most popular student organization is College Republicans, followed by College Democrats and Residence Hall Association. Other popular organizations at The George Washington University are Student Association and Program Board.
For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. You have a passion for media and communication? The George Washington University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At The George Washington University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services are available to the students of The George Washington University.
All in all, campus life at The George Washington University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at The George Washington University.
Career Counselling
At The George Washington University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 50,093 USD.
$50,093
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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The George Washington University is located in Washington, DC.
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The George Washington University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for The George Washington University is 69,780 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for The George Washington University is 47%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for The George Washington University is 92.23%.
Contact Information
The George Washington University
1918 F Street, NW
Washington , DC
20052
202 994-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
