Georgetown University
The oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the US, on a hill above the Potomac with Washington, D.C. as its classroom.
- Acceptance rate
- 14%
- Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027
- Students
- 19,905
- 7,908 undergraduates
- International
- 14%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $74,732
- From · 2026-27
About Georgetown
Georgetown University was founded in 1789 by John Carroll, the first head of the Catholic Church in the United States, and is the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university and the oldest university in Washington, D.C. Its main campus sits on a hill above the Potomac River in the historic Georgetown neighborhood, marked by the spires of Healy Hall. In fall 2025 it enrolled 7,908 undergraduates and 11,997 graduate and professional students.
First-years apply directly to one of six undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the McDonough School of Business, the Berkley School of Nursing, the School of Health, and the McCourt School of Public Policy, whose students spend their last two years on the Capitol Campus near the heart of the policy world. Each school has its own essay prompt and course preparation expectations.
Admission is highly selective: Georgetown admitted 13.5% of 26,822 applicants for fall 2025. It requires SAT or ACT scores and does not superscore, requires an alumni interview wherever one can be arranged, and offers non-binding Early Action rather than Early Decision. It meets 100% of demonstrated need for US citizens and permanent residents but offers no merit scholarships. It suits students drawn to international affairs, politics, business and service, who want Washington's internships on their doorstep.
Utraque Unum
“Both into One” — university motto
Why students choose Georgetown
The Walsh School of Foreign Service, founded more than a century ago, prepares students for global careers in the city that hosts embassies, federal agencies and international organizations.
McCourt School of Public Policy undergraduates spend their first two years on the Hilltop and their last two on the Capitol Campus, immersed in the policy world.
Georgetown's Early Action is non-binding, so you can hear by December 15 and still compare offers until May 1.
Georgetown meets 100% of demonstrated need for US citizens and permanent residents, and applying for aid does not affect admission.
Admissions
Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027
About 1 in 7 applicants is admitted
3,618 admitted from 26,822 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
For fall 2025, 3,618 of 26,822 first-year applicants were admitted and 1,589 enrolled. Georgetown does not offer Early Decision and does not publish separate Early Action admit rates in its Common Data Set.
Deadlines
- Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Non-binding; you may not apply to any binding Early Decision program elsewhere but may apply to other non-binding Early Action programs. Decisions by December 15; reply by May 1.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 1, 2027
Decisions by April 1; reply by May 1. Midyear report due February 10.
Georgetown lists November 1 and January 1 as its two first-year deadlines for the current cycle. The FAFSA and CSS Profile are due February 1 for both rounds. Submit the first part of the application early so an alumni interview can be assigned before the writing supplement is due.
How to apply
Georgetown Application (opens June 1) or Common Application (opens August 1), choosing one of six undergraduate schools; Georgetown writing supplement of two 250-word short essays, a 650-word personal essay and a 500-word school-specific essay; secondary school report with transcript, school profile and counselor recommendation; one teacher recommendation (a second is optional); official SAT or ACT; alumni interview; midyear report by February 10. The Common App personal statement is not required.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic achievement: the quality of your work, the rigor of your curriculum and your grades are the central part of the application.
- Intellectual curiosity, commitment to school and community, and a global outlook.
- Preparation for your chosen school, such as calculus-ready math for McDonough or a modern language or Latin for the School of Foreign Service.
- A clear sense of who you are and why you want your specific Georgetown school, shown through the essays and alumni interview.
Tips for applying to Georgetown
- 1 Pick your school deliberately: you apply to one of six undergraduate schools, and the fourth essay is specific to that school.
- 2 Submit Part 1 of the Georgetown Application (or Georgetown's initial Common App portion) early; alumni interviews begin in September and are assigned once that part is in.
- 3 Complete your interview when assigned; it is required where available, and international students who are not assigned one are not penalized.
- 4 Send all your SAT or ACT results with a full sitting you are proud of, since Georgetown does not superscore.
- 5 Do not apply Early Decision anywhere else if you use Georgetown's Early Action.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Georgetown University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Georgetown meets the full demonstrated need of all eligible undergraduates, meaning US citizens and permanent residents, through grants, scholarships, employment and federal loans, and applying for aid does not affect admission. It offers no academic or merit scholarships. International students can be considered for a limited number of need-based awards if they indicate interest on the application and file the CSS Profile; aid not offered in the first year will not be offered later.
- $100,864 living on or off campus ($101,423 for Nursing)
- First-year cost of attendance 2026-27
- None; all institutional aid is need-based
- Merit scholarships
- 48 students, average $75,050
- International undergraduates receiving institutional aid (2025-26)
- More than half
- Undergraduates receiving some form of financial aid
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Walsh School of Foreign Service
Founded more than a century ago to prepare leaders for global service; applicants are advised to bring a modern language or Latin.
McDonough School of Business
Undergraduate business with a global, ethical and analytical focus; calculus is required of all students.
McCourt School of Public Policy
Two years on the main Hilltop campus, then two on the Capitol Campus immersed in the policy world.
Berkley School of Nursing
Focused on forming ethical, empathetic nursing leaders; requires four years of math and three of science in high school.
School of Health
Majors in Global Health, Health Care Management and Policy, and Human Science.
Environment and Sustainability (Earth Commons Institute)
A joint program of the College and the Earth Commons Institute combining classroom, field and global study.
Research
- Georgetown describes its research as working with government, nonprofit, business and academic partners on global issues, with convenings in Washington, D.C.
- Healy Hall, the landmark of the main campus, is a National Historic Landmark.
- Georgetown reports a Fall 2025 student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
Schools & faculties
- Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences
- Walsh School of Foreign Service
- McDonough School of Business
- Berkley School of Nursing
- School of Health
- McCourt School of Public Policy
- Earth Commons Institute (environment and sustainability program with the College)
College Scorecard reports median earnings of $103,494 ten years after entry for students who received federal aid.
Student life
Students choose from 17 undergraduate residential communities, from traditional rooms to furnished apartments and townhouses, across 20 residence halls, and first-years live together in first-year communities. Five Living Learning Communities link housing with shared coursework. The Hoyas compete in NCAA Division I, with men's basketball in the Big East, and the Jesuit tradition shapes campus life through service and a focus on educating the whole person. Washington, D.C. gives students internships, policy events and cultural life steps from campus.
- 17 undergraduate residential communities across 20 residence halls, apartments and townhouses.
- Five Living Learning Communities connecting residents through shared coursework.
- Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball in the Big East Conference.
- Healy Hall, a National Historic Landmark, overlooks the Potomac River.
Housing. First-year students live together in first-year communities on campus, with apartments and townhouses available to upperclass students.
Location
Georgetown's main campus is in the historic Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on a hill above the Potomac River. The capital puts Congress, federal agencies, embassies, think tanks and international organizations within reach for internships, and the McCourt School's Capitol Campus sits in the policy center of the city.
Nearest airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Notable alumni
- BC Bill Clinton42nd president of the United States; Georgetown graduate, 1968
- AS Antonin ScaliaAssociate Justice of the US Supreme Court; undergraduate degree from Georgetown
- AI Abdullah II of JordanKing of Jordan; advanced study in international affairs at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, 1987
- PE Patrick EwingHall of Fame center who led the Hoyas to three NCAA championship games
- AI Allen IversonNBA MVP and No. 1 draft pick; two seasons with the Hoyas
- DM Dikembe MutomboHall of Fame NBA center and humanitarian; came from the Congo to study at Georgetown
- BC Bradley CooperActor and director; studied at Georgetown, where he rowed and acted
Frequently asked questions
What is Georgetown's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Georgetown admitted 3,618 of 26,822 first-year applicants, about 13.5%.
Does Georgetown have Early Decision?
No. Georgetown offers non-binding Early Action (due November 1, 2026, decisions by December 15) and Regular Decision (due January 1, 2027, decisions by April 1). Early Action applicants may not apply Early Decision elsewhere.
Does Georgetown require the SAT or ACT, and does it superscore?
Georgetown requires at least one full SAT or ACT and does not accept superscores. The middle 50% for fall 2025 enrollees was 1405-1530 on the SAT and 32-35 on the ACT.
Is the Georgetown interview required?
Yes, where available. Georgetown aims to offer every applicant an alumni interview and requires you to complete it when assigned; international applicants who cannot be assigned one are not penalized.
Does Georgetown offer merit scholarships?
No. All Georgetown aid is need-based. It meets full demonstrated need for US citizens and permanent residents, and offers a limited number of need-based awards to international students who file the CSS Profile.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Georgetown University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (PDF via Office of Assessment and Decision Support)
- Georgetown OADS: Common Data Set
- Georgetown Undergraduate Admissions: First Year Applicants
- Georgetown Undergraduate Admissions: Application Requirements and Forms
- Georgetown Undergraduate Admissions: How to Prepare
- Georgetown Undergraduate Admissions: After You've Applied
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