All schools
George Washington University logo
PrivateUrban

George Washington University

GWU

Washington, District of Columbia 20052

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Top graduate earnings — known for health sciences

George Washington University is a private institution in Washington with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1433, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 10.8K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

85% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $90,873 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $37,454.

Established
1821
Motto
Latin: Deus Nobis Fiducia
Mascot
George
Type
Private federally chartered research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

44%Acceptance
1433SAT Avg
10,848Students
12:1Student:Faculty
85%Grad Rate
$90,873Earnings 10yr
$37,454Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate43.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1433

Reading & WritingMid: 700
680750
MathMid: 700
670750

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 32
3134

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$64,990
Room & Board$16,300
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$80,727
Average Net Price$37,454
Median Debt at Graduation$20,449
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$21,396
$30–48K$18,171
$48–75K$21,863
$75–110K$33,540
$110K+$53,974

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

68.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

83

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

21

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

7

Motor Vehicle Theft

9

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

22

Drug Arrests

16

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (320)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
10,848
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
16%
Pell Grant Recipients
15%

Race & Ethnicity

White 49%
Black 8%
Hispanic 13%
Asian 15%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate85.2%
Freshman Retention91.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$71,607
10 Years$90,873

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#59
vs 2024
Forbes
#67
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#28
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Revolutionaries George

BasketballSoccerSoccer softball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Founding In July 1799, in his last will and testament, President George Washington left shares to endow a university in the nation's new capital.
  • The first president of the United States, George Washington, long favored the establishment of a university in a central part of the United States.
  • On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at his home in Mount Vernon.
  • In 1821, the Baptist missionary and leading minister Luther Rice secured funds from James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, John C.
  • On February 9, 1821, President Monroe approved the congressional charter, creating the non-denominational Columbian College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

175Very High

Estimated from DC state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
1 mi(2 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
36 mi(62 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
124 mi(215 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles22 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington28 mi
MDT Harrisburg91 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
New York, NY204 mi · ~5h 54m drive
Hartford, CT304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Providence, RI359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Albany, NY311 mi · ~8h 59m drive
Syracuse, NY290 mi · ~8h 23m drive
Rochester, NY296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Buffalo, NY292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Philadelphia, PA124 mi · ~3h 35m drive
Pittsburgh, PA189 mi · ~5h 28m drive
Harrisburg, PA95 mi · ~2h 45m drive
Newark, NJ198 mi · ~5h 43m drive
Washington, DC1 mi · ~2 min drive
Baltimore, MD36 mi · ~1h 2m drive
Atlanta, GA541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Charlotte, NC329 mi · ~9h 30m drive
Raleigh, NC233 mi · ~6h 44m drive
Miami, FL926 mi · ~26h 45m drive
Orlando, FL758 mi · ~21h 54m drive
Tampa, FL818 mi · ~23h 38m drive
Nashville, TN565 mi · ~16h 19m drive
New Orleans, LA964 mi · ~27h 51m drive
Richmond, VA96 mi · ~2h 46m drive
Chicago, IL593 mi · ~17h 8m drive
Detroit, MI394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Minneapolis, MN931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
St. Louis, MO708 mi · ~20h 27m drive
Kansas City, MO940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Indianapolis, IN490 mi · ~14h 9m drive
Columbus, OH326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Milwaukee, WI634 mi · ~18h 19m drive
Dallas, TX1181 mi · ~34h 7m drive
Houston, TX1218 mi · ~35h 11m drive
Austin, TX1315 mi · ~37h 59m drive
San Antonio, TX1385 mi · ~40h 1m drive
Los Angeles, CA2294 mi · ~66h 16m drive
San Francisco, CA2434 mi · ~70h 19m drive
San Diego, CA2269 mi · ~65h 33m drive
Seattle, WA2321 mi · ~67h 3m drive
Portland, OR2347 mi · ~67h 48m drive
Denver, CO1489 mi · ~43h 1m drive
Phoenix, AZ1977 mi · ~57h 7m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1841 mi · ~53h 11m drive
Honolulu, HI4828 mi · ~139h 29m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

George Washington University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications