The George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private research university in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C., steps from the White House, the State Department, and the World Bank — a location that anchors its renowned programs in political science, international affairs, and public policy. Admission is selective but less of a lottery than many peer privates: GW admitted about 47% of more than 27,000 applicants for its most recent class, and the overwhelming majority of undergraduates come from outside D.C. The social sciences are by far the most-conferred field at roughly a third of bachelor's degrees, followed by business and the health professions. GW is test-optional — only about 37% of enrolled first-years submitted the SAT — and those who did posted a middle-50% SAT of 1310–1450.
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George Washington admissions statistics
Acceptance rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early decision
George Washington offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Standardized tests
George Washington is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
George Washington supplemental essays — 2026-2027 cycle
At the George Washington University, our students frequently interact with policymakers and world leaders. These experiences and those of our alumni can shape the future of global affairs. If you had the power to change the course of history in your community or the world, what would you do and why? (500 words or fewer)
The George Washington University encourages students to think critically and to challenge the status quo. Thus, civil discourse is a key characteristic of our community. Describe a time when you engaged others in meaningful dialogue around an issue that was important to you. Did this exchange create change, new perspectives, or deeper relationships? (500 words or fewer)
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Class rank
Where George Washington's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 20.83% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. George Washington does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions factors
How George Washington weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from George Washington's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Frequently asked questions about George Washington admissions
GW is selective but more accessible than many similarly prominent private universities, admitting about 47.1% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 12,741 offers out of more than 27,000 applications. The class is academically strong: among the ~21% of enrolled first-years who reported a class rank, about 44% were in the top tenth of their graduating class and 77% in the top quarter.
GW does not publish an average admitted GPA in its Common Data Set, but the admitted class is academically strong — among the roughly 21% of enrolled first-years who reported class rank, about 44% ranked in the top tenth and 77% in the top quarter of their graduating class. The rigor of your high school course load and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors in GW's holistic review.
No. GW is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting scores — and most applicants don't, with only about 37% of enrolled first-years submitting the SAT and 14% the ACT. Among those who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1310–1450 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT.
Yes — a 1450 sits at the top of GW's middle-50% range and is very competitive. Among enrolled first-years who submitted the SAT, the middle 50% scored 1310–1450, and nearly 50% scored 1400 or above. Because GW is test-optional and weighs standardized test scores only as 'considered,' a 1450 is worth submitting but won't make or break an application.
Yes. GW offers two binding Early Decision rounds — Early Decision I and Early Decision II — for applicants certain that GW is their first choice; it does not offer non-binding Early Action. Because ED is binding, you commit to enrolling if admitted, so it's best used only when GW is your clear top choice.
Tuition and required fees run about $72,420 per year, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $18,160 before books and personal expenses. About 50% of full-time first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average need-based package near $64,025, and GW meets about 91% of demonstrated need on average.
The social sciences — including political science and international affairs — are by far the most popular field at about 33% of bachelor's degrees, reflecting GW's location steps from the White House and State Department. Business (16%) and the health professions (11%) follow, with psychology, the biological sciences, and communication rounding out the most-conferred fields.
Yes. GW rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — above standardized test scores, which are only 'considered' — alongside recommendations, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated talent. Since GW is test-optional and many applicants skip scores entirely, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out.
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Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Source: The George Washington University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with George Washington. Banner photo by formulanone (Josh Lintz), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cite this page as: Esslo College Explorer, “The George Washington University admissions statistics, transcribed from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set,” https://www.esslo.org/colleges/george-washington (retrieved 2026-06-08).