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SelectiveProfile current for 2026-2027

George Washington University acceptance rate and your odds of getting in

George Washington University is a private college in Washington, D.C. that admits roughly 47% of applicants, which puts it in the selective range. A rate like this means it admits a minority of applicants; the bar is less about clearing a single cutoff and more about how your full profile compares to admitted students.

Your odds at George Washington University
Three numbers, no account, the same published model the full calculator runs.

Use this page to see what George Washington University weighs, where it ranks among Washington, D.C. schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1420, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
47%
Selective
SAT middle 50%
1350-1500
of admitted students
Type
Private
Washington, DC
Average net price
$36,586
per year after aid

What do students study at George Washington University?

Bachelor's degrees awarded by field in 2023 (IPEDS completions). Each field has its own page with the school's numbers, the model's major adjustment, and peers offering it.

Social Sciences · 736 (31.9%)Health Professions and Related Programs · 362 (15.7%)Business, Management and Marketing · 324 (14%)Computer and Information Sciences · 132 (5.7%)Psychology · 129 (5.6%)Biological and Biomedical Sciences · 122 (5.3%)Engineering · 117 (5.1%)Communication and Journalism · 99 (4.3%)Homeland Security, Law Enforcement and Firefighting · 56 (2.4%)Visual and Performing Arts · 53 (2.3%)English Language and Literature · 27 (1.2%)Natural Resources and Conservation · 25 (1.1%)

Will I get into George Washington University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into George Washington University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into George Washington University?

At George Washington University, your real chance depends on far more than the published 47% admit rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for George Washington University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is George Washington University hard to get into?

George Washington University is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 47% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.

What GPA do you need to get into George Washington University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at George Washington University, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. George Washington University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

Calculate your chances at George Washington University →

Your chances at George Washington University by GPA and SAT

Estimated chance of admission at George Washington University for plain profiles, from the same model as the calculator. Unweighted GPA, 3 AP courses, Regular Decision, no legacy, athletic or first-generation hook. The last column is test-optional (no score sent).

What are my chances at George Washington University with a 3.5 GPA and a 1430 SAT?

About 75% (Safety), by CollegeCalcAI's deterministic model, for an applicant with a 3.5 unweighted GPA and a 1430 SAT, the middle of George Washington University's admitted range, applying Regular Decision without a hook. A 3.8 GPA with a 1500 SAT comes out near 89%. Courses, activities, essays and the application round move the number; the free calculator includes them.

Estimated admission chance at George Washington University by unweighted GPA (rows) and SAT score (columns)
GPASAT 135025th pctSAT 1430middleSAT 150075th pctNo testtest-optional
2.937%Target46%Likely55%Likely31%Target
3.252%Likely61%Likely69%Likely49%Likely
3.567%Likely75%Safety81%Safety68%Likely
3.879%Safety85%Safety89%Safety82%Safety

Estimates, not guarantees. Get yours with your real courses and activities. Assistants and developers can fetch this table from the free API: /api/v1/colleges/george-washington-university.

How to get into George Washington University

Built from George Washington University's admitted class and what it reports weighing. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled figures, not published cutoffs.

Getting into George Washington University comes down to four decisions, each one visible in the data on this page.

Step 1
Match the typical admit on the transcript

CollegeCalcAI's modeled typical admit at George Washington University carries about a 3.48 core GPA and a 1450 SAT, in the most rigorous schedule available. Meeting it puts you in the admitted range for most applicants.

Step 2
Decide on scores with the real range

The admitted middle 50% is 1350 to 1500 SAT (31 to 34 ACT). Submit a score at 1425 or higher; below 1350, apply test-optional if the policy allows.

Step 3
Build the file around what George Washington University weighs

George Washington University rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores highest in its own Common Data Set. Put your depth there: and a transcript whose rigor rises through junior year.

Step 4
Apply in the round that helps

An early application signals interest and gets your file read before the pool fills. Most early deadlines fall on November 1 and Regular Decision on January 1 to 15; confirm George Washington University's exact dates at www.gwu.edu.

See your odds and your top moves at George Washington University →Add it to your college list →Official site: www.gwu.edu ↗

How many students apply to George Washington University, and how many get in?

27,094 students applied to George Washington University for fall 2023; 11,798 were admitted (43.5%). 2,539 enrolled. Only about 22% of admitted students enrolled, so the school admits several students for every seat it expects to fill, which is why its acceptance rate reads higher than its selectivity feels. George Washington University enrolls about 11,182 undergraduates in total, 64% of them women, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Applied
27,094
fall 2023
Admitted
11,798
43.5% of applicants
Enrolled
2,539
22% yield
Undergraduates
11,182
Washington, large city

Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 admissions and enrollment.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for George Washington University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at George Washington University scored between 1350 and 1500 on the SAT (average 1433). On the ACT the middle 50% runs from 31 to 34. A score above 1500 puts you in the top quarter of admits and turns the test into an asset; a score below 1350 puts you in the bottom quarter, where the rest of the application has to carry more weight. George Washington University is test-optional: scores are considered if you submit them but not required. Send a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one and let your transcript lead.

SAT middle 50%
1350-1500
average 1433
ACT middle 50%
31-34
of admitted students
Test scores
Test-optional
admissions policy

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10.

What George Washington University looks for

What George Washington University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

George Washington University signals that it values rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores above the rest of the file. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from George Washington University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Important
Recommendations
Important
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Important

SAT score positioning at George Washington University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability. Your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at George Washington University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400In the competitive admitted range
1300Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1420 SAT →Colleges for a 32 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How much does George Washington University cost after financial aid?

George Washington University's published cost of attendance, before any aid, is roughly $83,856 per year. Tuition and fees alone are $67,710. What families actually pay is different: the average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,586 a year, and it ranges from $17,440 for families earning under $30,000 to $55,337 for families earning over $110,000. 16% of undergraduates receive a federal Pell Grant.

Sticker price
$83,856
per year, before aid
Average net price
$36,586
after grants and scholarships
Pell recipients
16%
of undergraduates
Family incomeAverage net price per year
$0 to $30k$17,440
$30k to $48k$17,292
$48k to $75k$22,080
$75k to $110k$28,100
Over $110k$55,337

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Net price is what students receiving aid paid after grants, by family income.

What do George Washington University graduates earn, and how many graduate?

Ten years after enrolling, the median George Washington University student who received federal aid earns $90,873 a year, up from $71,607 at six years. 84% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years, and 92% return for a second year. Among graduates who borrowed, median federal debt at graduation is $20,449; 32% of undergraduates take federal loans.

Median earnings
$90,873
10 years after entry
Graduation rate
84%
within six years
Retention
92%
return for year two
Median debt
$20,449
at graduation, borrowers

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Earnings cover students who received federal aid.

How George Washington University compares in Washington, D.C.

George Washington University ranks #3 most selective of 6 schools in Washington, D.C. in our database.

Among the 6 Washington, D.C. schools we track, George Washington University ranks #3 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Georgetown University (13%) and Howard University (41%) sit nearby, which makes Washington, D.C. a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Georgetown University
13%acceptance · DC
Howard University
41%acceptance · DC
Gallaudet University
58%acceptance · DC
District of Columbia
75%acceptance · DC
Catholic University
83%acceptance · DC
See all Washington, D.C. schools →

Similar to George Washington University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

If George Washington University is on your list, schools with a similar admit profile are worth a look: Pacific Union College, Syracuse University, and Washington Adventist University. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Pacific Union College
47%acceptance · CA
Syracuse University
46%acceptance · NY
Washington Adventist University
46%acceptance · MD
Santa Clara University
48%acceptance · CA
Austin College
48%acceptance · TX
Rollins College
48%acceptance · FL

Frequently asked questions

What is George Washington University's acceptance rate?

George Washington University admitted 11,798 of 27,094 applicants for the fall 2023 entering class, an acceptance rate of 43.5% (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). 22% of admitted students enrolled.

What SAT score do you need for George Washington University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1350 to 1500 on the SAT and 31 to 34 on the ACT. A score above 1500 is in the top quarter of admits. George Washington University is test-optional, so only submit a score that helps.

Is George Washington University test-optional?

Yes. George Washington University reports that test scores are considered but not required. Submit a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one.

How much does George Washington University cost after financial aid?

The average net price at George Washington University, what students receiving aid paid after grants and scholarships, is $36,586 a year against a sticker price of about $83,856. Families earning under $30,000 paid about $17,440 on average.

What do George Washington University graduates earn?

Median earnings ten years after entering George Washington University are $90,873 a year among students who received federal aid, and 84% of students graduate within six years (College Scorecard).

What does George Washington University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, George Washington University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does George Washington University consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. George Washington University's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at George Washington University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at George Washington University specifically.

Acceptance rate, application counts, admitted test ranges, cost, and outcomes reflect publicly reported federal data (U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2023 and the College Scorecard) and each school's Common Data Set; figures are rounded and lag the current cycle by one to two years, so confirm deadlines and policies on the school's own site. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled estimates. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.