Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.
47%
SAT 25th-75th percentileThe middle range of SAT scores for admitted students: a quarter scored below the low number and a quarter scored above the high number.
1350–1500
Undergrad enrollment
11,182
Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.
$36,586
In-state tuition
$67,710
Out-of-state tuition
$67,710
Tuition
$69,780
Average GPA
3.66
Acceptance Rate
47%
Median ACT Range
30–33
Median SAT Range
1360–1470
Average Net Price
$45,466
Mid-Career Salary
$91,442
Undergraduate Majors
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at George Washington University?
George Washington University's acceptance rate is approximately 47% (Washington, DC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for George Washington University?
Admitted students at George Washington University typically score 1350–1500 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does George Washington University cost?
At George Washington University, the average net price (after aid) is about $36,586 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend George Washington University?
George Washington University enrolls approximately 11,182 undergraduate students.
Where is George Washington University located?
George Washington University is located in Washington, DC.
George Washington University (GW) is a politically charged, globally connected research university where Foggy Bottom’s corridors of power double as classrooms. With a 47% acceptance rate and a median SAT range of 1360–1470, GW attracts ambitious students who leverage its D.C. adjacency for internships at the State Department or CNN. The school’s strengths—international affairs, public health, and political communication—come with a steep $69,780 sticker price, though 84% graduate within six years to earn median salaries of $91,442.
Admissions
GW’s admissions process is selective but not cutthroat, with a 47% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for the Class of 2028. The middle 50% SAT range falls between 1360–1470, while ACT scores cluster around 30–33. Notably, only 27% of applicants submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores in the most recent cycle, reflecting GW’s Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy. The average admitted student carries a 3.66 GPA, and the university received 27,006 applications for roughly 12,718 acceptances. Deferred admission is permitted, allowing accepted students to postpone enrollment for up to a year.
GW’s academic identity is defined by its D.C. gravitational pull, particularly in international affairs, public health, and political communication—all top-10 nationally ranked programs. The Columbian College of Arts & Sciences alone offers 67 undergraduate majors, from astrophysics to photojournalism. STEM programs thrive through partnerships with federal agencies like NASA and the NIH. A Reddit thread notes GW’s 'niche' reputation: 'The STEM is strong here too, probably the strongest in DC.' The university operates as a research powerhouse, with cross-disciplinary centers that turn Foggy Bottom into a lab for policy and global studies.
Campus culture skews high-achieving and politically engaged, though Reddit users warn of a 'superficial' social scene dominated by 'spoiled kids or those who are annoyingly political.' With 11,000+ undergrads from all 50 states and 130+ countries, GW leans cosmopolitan. The Office of Student Life curates traditions and Instagram-worthy events (@studentlifeatgw), but the real action happens off-campus: internships on Capitol Hill, museum-hopping on the National Mall, or networking at embassy receptions. Housing is guaranteed for freshmen, though many upperclassmen migrate to D.C.’s row houses. Greek life exists but isn’t dominant—only 14% of students join sororities or fraternities.
GW’s 84% graduation rate outpaces the national average (59%), with 77% finishing in four years and 82% by year five. Alumni earnings are robust: $66,952 at the one-year mark, soaring to $91,442 after five years—well above the $60,377 median for four-year colleges. The NCAA reports a 94% graduation success rate for athletes. Career trajectories lean heavily into government (State Department, USAID), global health (WHO, CDC), and media (CNN, Politico), with many graduates leveraging D.C. connections secured through GW’s internship pipeline.
At $69,780 per year for tuition, GW is among the priciest private universities, though the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $45,466 after aid. Merit scholarships and need-based packages are available, with the Net Price Calculator estimating costs as low as $42k for families earning ~$112k. Payment plans help distribute the burden, but Reddit threads reveal sticker shock: 'I’m just wondering if the calculator is accurate.' Health sciences students should note additional program fees, and all applicants are encouraged to call the financial aid office directly at (202) 994-6620 for personalized estimates.
GW is the ultimate university for political animals and policy wonks, where a Senate internship is just a Metro ride away. Its location—four blocks from the White House—transforms the city into a classroom, offering unmatched access to think tanks, NGOs, and global institutions. The trade-off? A high cost of living and a competitive social scene that one Redditor dubbed 'fake trendy.' But for students who thrive on ambition and proximity to power, GW delivers career-launching opportunities that few campuses can match.
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