Key Takeaways:
- George Washington University offers over 75 degree programs through seven undergraduate degrees and colleges.
- The student-to-faculty ratio at GW is 12 to 1. More than 57% of classes have less than 20 students.
- GW has a selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 49% and a graduation rate of 85%.
Diverse GWU Degrees in Washington DC and Online
George Washington University appears in our ranking of Master’s in Hospitality Management Online: Top 25 Values.
Named the U.S. News & World Report’s 63rd best institution, George Washington University is a premier Atlantic-10 ORAU member maintaining a 13:1 student-faculty ratio to deliver 79 bachelor’s, 151 master’s, and 53 doctoral majors with 92 percent retention. For example, the B.A. in International Affairs shapes a 120-credit program in nine concentrations like Conflict Resolution and Security Policy with at least one eight-week study abroad session from Taipei to Toulouse. Chaired by Dr. Igor Efimov, the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering follows a 120-credit, ABET-accredited sequence with Assistive Robotics Lab projects, Siemens Health internships, and SEAS Center contests.
Featured Programs
Online via Blackboard, the M.S. in Government Contracts spans a 36-credit, 2.5-year curriculum under Dr. Daniel Gordon with Web-based courses like Procurement Reform plus publishing opportunities in the Public Contract Law Journal and a Responsible Management Certificate. The M.S.N. in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner starts each Fall for licensed RNs to advance in a 50-credit, CCNE-accredited plan with 600-hour clinical rotations, such as BridgePoint Hospital, Walter Reed Medical Center, and Sibley Memorial Hospital.
Other George Washington degrees include the B.A. in Archaeology, B.A. in Cognitive Neuroscience, B.S. in Physics, B.A. in Theatre, M.A. in Applied Economics, M.S. in Forensic Science, Master of Tourism Administration (MTA) (also available online), Ed.D. in Education Policy, and Ph.D. in History.
About George Washington University
George Washington University originated on February 9, 1821, when Baptist minister Luther Rice’s college atop Meridian Hill was federally chartered by President James Monroe. In 1824, Henry Clay and John Calhoun were among the crowd at its first commencement. In 1873, it was named Columbian University and moved to H Street. Three decades later, the George Washington University name was adopted to honor the first President. In 1912, its current 43-acre Foggy Bottom campus was erected by the National Mall. Accredited in 1922, GWU was a famous location for theoretical physics research during the 1930s. In 1973, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences was formally established at Walter G. Ross Hall. In 1989, Dr. Stephen Trachtenberg founded the Office of Campus Life. In 1996, GWU also acquired the former Mount Vernon College for Women.
Endowed for $1.7 billion, George Washington University now employs 2,663 faculty teaching 27,159 Colonials from 130 countries online and face-to-face near Capitol Hill with 40+ clubs like the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. In 2015, Washington received the DCHA Haynes Rice Community Service Award. In 2017, GW Hospital won the Health Resources & Services Administration’s Platinum Award. The next year, GWU was nominated for the Network of Enlightened Women Legacy Chapter Award too. Forbes ranked GWU 90th overall with the 48th most impactful research. On Niche, George Washington University has America’s 11th best international relations, 38th best criminal justice, and 43rd top philosophy degrees. Money Magazine declared GWU the 284th best buy with a $475,000 PayScale ROI. The Center for World University Rankings also placed Washington 169th for alumni employment.
George Washington University Accreditation Details
On June 21, 2018, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees mailed an official action letter to George Washington University that successfully renewed the Level VI accreditation through 2026-27 under its 17th president, Dr. Thomas J. LeBlanc, who earned the EAPC International Clinical Impact Award. Located 155 miles east via Route 50 in Philadelphia, this esteemed eight-territory Atlantic Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and DC State Board of Education. The Office of Academic Planning & Assessment also lists these accreditations:
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Music
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
- American Psychological Association
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Council on Social Work Education
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- American Bar Association
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
George Washington University Application Requirements
Admission to George Washington University is classified “most difficult” by Peterson’s since only 11,059 of the 26,987 Fall 2017 applicants were selected for 41 percent acceptance. First-year Colonials at Financial Times’ 90th best school must finish a suitable college-prep high school curriculum. B.F.A. in Fine Arts students must also exhibit skill with a portfolio of 12-20 pieces. On average, freshmen present a 3.85 GPA, 1355 New SAT, and 30 ACT mark. Most transfers hold 12+ non-remedial credits graded “C” or better for minimum 2.5 GPAs. The Seven-Year BA/MD Program seeks Columbian students ranking in the top 90th percentile. Office of Graduate Admission criteria varies beyond a general four-year bachelor’s GPA minimum of 3.0. Median GRE scores are 150 Verbal, 165 Quantitative, and 3.0 Analytical Writing. The School of Business cohorts present an average 692 GMAT score. The Juris Doctor Class of 2020 presented a mean 165 LSAT mark. Doctor of Medicine entrants also submit a 512 MCAT average.
George Washington University set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Decision I or January 5th for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. Bachelor’s transfers are welcome until April 15th for Fall and October 1st for Spring. The Office of Graduate Admission has different deadlines for most of its 230+ programs. For instance, the M.A. in Middle East Studies closes on October 1st and February 7th yearly. The MPH in Public Health Nutrition only considers Fall cohorts until March 15th. The Master of Accountancy has a priority date of December 15th. Accordingly, complete the GW Application online for $75 ($80 if graduate). Mail official transcripts to 800 21st Street NW Suite 100 in Washington, DC 20052. Attach program essentials like the current résumé, one to three recommendations, career objectives statement, art portfolio, and required test score. Inquire further by contacting (202) 994-6040 or gwadm@gwu.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Kiplinger’s 52nd best private value billed $27,570 per undergrad semester or $55,140 annually. Part-time George Washington University students paid $1,575 per credit. The B.S. in Nursing program specifically cost $70,800 total. The Bachelor of Professional Studies was $780 per credit online. Living at the DC campus’ dorms like Thurston Hall added $13,810 to $19,350 yearly. GWU budgeted $1,325 for books and $1,525 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equaled about $71,930 on-site and $58,080 at home. Graduate tuition varied greatly by program. For example, the MPS in Law Firm Management cost $1,600 per credit. Online MPS in Homeland Security cohorts paid $1,090 per credit. The Doctor of Medicine program had a $60,250 price yearly. Ph.D. in Engineering Management courses were $1,350 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Assistance at Marvin Center connects 65 percent of full-time GWU Colonials to tuition aid averaging $27,499 for $206.35 million combined. Institutional funds include the Cisneros Scholars Award, Clark Engineering Scholarship, Francine Zorn Trachtenberg Scholarship, Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship, Corcoran Scholars Award, Scottish Rite Foundation Scholarship, Board of Trustees Scholarship, Patrick Martin Foundation Scholarship, Association of Old Crows Scholarship, International Baccalaureate Scholarship, and Eugene B. Casey Scholarship. The Presidential Academic Scholarship gifts $18,000 annually to outstanding freshmen with minimum 3.5 GPAs. Alpha Beta Gamma members transferring 56+ credits at 3.7 or better GPAs receive a $7,500 scholarship. Federal assistance, including the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA forms coded 001444. The DC Tuition Assistance Grant also disburses $2,500 per year for residents age 24 or under staying in the District of Columbia.
Explore the 14 top-tier schools collectively ranked 181st globally by Times Higher Education on the George Washington University website.