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Summary
Update: George Washington University has changed from being a ranked school in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges to an unranked school, based on a data reporting error. The data have been replaced with new data where provided by the school. Read more at the Morse Code Blog.
George Washington University is a private institution that was founded in 1821. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,406, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 43 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $43,747 (2012-13).
George Washington University’s urban location in downtown Washington, D.C., is ideal for fans of politics and city life. The school is spread out across the D.C. Foggy Bottom neighborhood, near the State Department and about a mile away from museums on the National Mall and the Washington Monument. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, though about three fourths choose to do so. The school’s sports teams are nicknamed the Colonials, and compete in the Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. A costumed student called George, named for George Washington, is the school mascot, though an 10-foot inflatable character known as Big George and an on-campus statue of a hippopotamus are unofficial mascots. There are more than 400 organizations on campus, and students can start their own clubs with an original idea and four other members. About 25 percent of students are involved in the school’s large Greek system. The TRAiL program takes students on outdoor excursions like hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Student publications include the GW Hatchet, The Daily Colonial, and The GW Patriot.
The school has broad graduate offerings, and its Law School and Graduate School of Education and Human Development are particularly well regarded. Among the scores of famous GW graduates are politicians Harry Reid and Eric Cantor, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, and performers including Courteney Cox Arquette. Alec Baldwin attended GW but did not graduate.
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Founded in 1821 and chartered by the United States Congress, George Washington University takes full advantage of its location in the midst of the nation's capital. Students have the opportunity to plug into the extraordinary world of Washington, the political, policy, and research centers that move our country and the world. The number of majors and array of classroom experiences is almost boundless, but if you don't find what you're looking for, you can custom tailor a major to fit your academic interests. And because GW is so close to the centers of thought and action in every field offered, it is easy to integrate its academic tradition, special programs, and faculty connections, with the best internship and job opportunities in the Washington metropolitan area. A generous scholarship and financial assistance program attracts top students from all parts of the country and the world. |
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1821 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | urban |
| 2011 Endowment | $1,581,800,000 |
Applying
When applying to George Washington University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 10, and the early decision deadline is November 10. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 10. The application fee at George Washington University is $75. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 33.0 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 33.0% |
| Application deadline | January 10 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 10 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at George Washington University is 14:1, and the school has 53.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at George Washington University include: Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Health Professions and Related Programs; and English Language and Literature/Letters. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92.5 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 14:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 76% | ||||||||||
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Student Life
George Washington University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,406, with a gender distribution of 43.7 percent male students and 56.3 percent female students. At this school, 68.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 32.0 percent of students live off campus. George Washington University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at George Washington University.
| Total enrollment | 25,260 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
George Washington University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. George Washington University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at George Washington University.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At George Washington University, 50.1 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $26,244.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $43,747 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $13,050 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
