,·Private Research University·Est. 1821
“At the center of it all — Washington, D.C. is your campus.”
George Washington University sits at the heart of the nation's capital, offering students unmatched access to government agencies, international organizations, think tanks, and world-class internships. Founded by an Act of Congress in 1821, GW has long been a training ground for leaders in public policy, law, international affairs, and business. With a compact urban campus in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood steps from the National Mall, GW students live and study in one of the world's most politically charged and culturally rich cities. The university's location translates directly into classroom experiences, with faculty who are active practitioners and alumni networks embedded in every sector of the capital. GW offers more than 75 undergraduate programs across seven schools, and students benefit from a vibrant research enterprise, experiential learning opportunities, and a community of driven, globally minded peers. Whether your ambition is Capitol Hill, the World Bank, or a startup in Georgetown, GW gives you the connections and credentials to get there.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
QS World University Rankings
QS 2026
Forbes America's Top Colleges
Forbes 2025
Political Science
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision I
Binding
Early Decision II
Binding
Regular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$69,780
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
GW's largest school, offering majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary programs.
AACSB-accredited business school emphasizing entrepreneurship, finance, and global business strategy.
One of the nation's top schools for international relations, leveraging GW's D.C. location for unmatched policy access.
Engineering school with strong research ties to government labs and federal contractors in the D.C. metro area.
The first accredited school of public health in the nation's capital, blending research with policy impact.
4 years
The largest school of international relations in the United States, located three blocks from the World Bank, IMF, and U.S. State Department. Concentrations include Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Security Policy, International Development, and International Economics. Embassies, think tanks, and federal agencies sit within walking distance of every classroom — a logistical advantage no other IR program in the U.S. matches.
4 years
GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health is one of only a handful of standalone undergraduate public-health schools in the U.S. and is co-located in DC's research-medicine corridor near the NIH and HHS. STEM-designated paths available.
4 years
ABET-accredited CS in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. STEM-designated, so graduates qualify for the 24-month F-1 STEM OPT extension. Strong federal-contractor recruiting from MITRE, Booz Allen, NSA, and DOD-adjacent firms.
4 years
Combines journalism, political science, and public-relations training with required internships at DC media outlets, congressional offices, and political campaigns — a major reason GW alumni dominate Capitol Hill and political-media junior staff.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $89,205
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
