What makes GW different
- Policy in practice. Seven undergraduate schools and more than 75 majors, with research and internships across Washington.
- The Revolutionary Promise. Full tuition for families earning $100,000 or less, and at least half for those up to $150,000.
- A second campus. Some first-years live together in living-learning communities on the Mount Vernon campus.
What GW students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): international relations and affairs (398), political science (231), nursing (203), business administration and management (147), public health (106) and psychology (98). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at GW if…
- You want internships in government, policy or international affairs.
- You'd like a city campus in the middle of things.
- You're interested in political science, international affairs or business.
Worth asking about
- Which programs require test scores?
- What does the Revolutionary Promise cover for my family?
How GW compares with similar universities
GW admitted 47.1% of applicants for fall 2024, and two-thirds of its early decision applicants. See early decision, early action and test policies at all 19 universities.
FAQ
What is George Washington University's acceptance rate? 47.1% for fall 2024: 12,723 of 27,016 applicants were admitted.
What is George Washington University's early decision acceptance rate? 66.3% for fall 2024: 755 of 1,139 early decision applicants were admitted, compared with 47.1% of all applicants. Early decision is binding, and the early applicant pool differs from the regular one, so neither rate predicts any one student's chances. Source
Does GW require the SAT or ACT? No, for most applicants. GW has been test-optional since 2015, but scores are required for its BA/BS-MD program and homeschooled applicants. This applies to students applying in 2026–27 for fall 2027. Source
Does GW charge out-of-state tuition? No. GW is private, so published tuition and fees are the same for students from any state: $67,710 a year before aid. About 90% of first-year students came from outside D.C.
How much is GW tuition per semester? About $33,855 a semester, half the published $67,710 a year, before aid.
Is GW an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, George Washington University is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to GW? About 11,200 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is GW known for? Politics and international affairs, internships, and its Washington location.
How much does GW cost? Published tuition and fees are $67,710 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $83,856. Students who received aid paid $34,462 a year on average.
Wondering if a big-city campus fits you?
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