Johns Hopkins University
America's first research university, in Baltimore, and No. 1 in the U.S. for research investment.
- Acceptance rate
- 6.1%
- Fall 2025 entering class (Class of 2029)
- Students
- 29,969
- 6,354 undergraduates
- Student–faculty
- 9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $68,670
- International undergraduates · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1876
About Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins opened in 1876 as the first American university built around graduate education and research, on the model of German universities. Hopkins describes itself as No. 1 in the U.S. for research investment. About 6,400 undergraduates and 23,600 graduate students are enrolled across its divisions, which include the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, the School of Advanced International Studies and the Applied Physics Laboratory.
Undergraduates study mainly on the 140-acre Homewood campus in north Baltimore, in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering, with music students at the Peabody Institute. There is no core curriculum; students have wide freedom to design their studies, and many combine a major with research from their first year. Biomedical engineering, public health, neuroscience and international studies are among the programs that draw students, and there is no separate application for biomedical engineering; you simply list it as your first-choice major.
Hopkins suits curious, self-directed students who want to do research early and like working hard. Aid is generous: families earning up to $200,000 pay no tuition and those up to $100,000 have no parent contribution.
Veritas vos liberabit
“The truth will set you free” — university motto
Why students choose Johns Hopkins
Undergraduate research access at the U.S. leader in research investment, including the Applied Physics Laboratory.
Free tuition for families earning up to $200,000 and $0 parent cost up to $100,000, with no student loans expected.
Biomedical engineering, public health and international studies connected to the School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health and SAIS.
Division I lacrosse in the Big Ten, including a men's program with 44 national titles (nine NCAA), in an otherwise Division III athletics program.
Admissions
Fall 2025 entering class (Class of 2029)
About 1 in 16 applicants is admitted
3,072 admitted from 50,259 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Johns Hopkins enrolled 1,378 first-year students in fall 2025. It is need-aware for international applicants who apply for aid.
Deadlines
- Early Decision I Binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Decisions December 11, 2026; reply by January 15, 2027.
- Early Decision II Binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 2, 2027
Decisions February 12, 2027; reply by February 26, 2027.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 2, 2027
Decisions March 24, 2027; reply by May 1, 2027.
How to apply
Common App or Coalition Application; personal statement plus one Hopkins supplemental essay (350 words) on community across differences; two teacher evaluations from different subjects; secondary school report with counselor recommendation; SAT or ACT; $70 fee or waiver; international applicants also submit a Certification of Finances.
What admissions looks for
- Academic character: how you pursue academics, contribute to the learning environment and engage with interests beyond the classroom.
- Impact and initiative: meaningful roles and contributions in clubs, jobs, internships or your community.
- Overall match: whether your values and goals fit the opportunities and community at Hopkins, shown mainly through your essays.
Tips for applying to Johns Hopkins
- 1 The single 350-word supplement asks about building community across differences; use a specific story rather than general statements about diversity.
- 2 If you want biomedical engineering, list it as your first-choice major; there is no separate application.
- 3 Hopkins offers two binding Early Decision rounds, so ED II (January 2) is an option if you are not ready by November 1.
- 4 International applicants who might ever need aid must apply for it when they apply for admission.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Johns Hopkins University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Hopkins meets full financial need with no student loan expectation. Families earning up to $200,000 pay no tuition and families up to $100,000 have a $0 parent cost; admission is need-aware for international students, but those admitted receive 100% of demonstrated need without loans.
- Free tuition
- Family income up to $200,000
- $0 parent cost
- Family income up to $100,000
- $0 for everyone
- Student loan expectation
- $500
- Matriculation fee (first year, 2026-27)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (fall and spring, with a January intersession)
Biomedical Engineering
A flagship Whiting School major tied to the School of Medicine; applicants simply list it as their first-choice major.
Public Health Studies
An undergraduate major connected to the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
International Studies
Linked to SAIS, where CNN's Wolf Blitzer earned his MA.
Peabody Institute
A conservatory within the university for undergraduate musicians.
Research
- Applied Physics Laboratory, focused on defense and space research.
- Hopkins bills itself as No. 1 in the U.S. for research investment.
Schools & faculties
- Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
- Whiting School of Engineering
- Peabody Institute
- School of Medicine
- Bloomberg School of Public Health
- School of Nursing
- Carey Business School
- School of Education
- School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Student life
Undergraduate life centres on the Homewood campus, with its brick Georgian buildings and quads, in the Charles Village and Remington neighbourhoods of north Baltimore. First- and second-year students live on campus, and the student body is known for combining heavy workloads with a large number of student groups and research projects. Lacrosse is the marquee sport: the men's and women's teams play NCAA Division I in the Big Ten, while most other teams compete in Division III, mainly in the Centennial Conference.
- Men's lacrosse, a Big Ten program with 44 national titles, nine of them NCAA Division I.
- Other varsity sports in NCAA Division III, Centennial Conference.
- Gilman Hall and the Keyser Quad at the heart of the Homewood campus.
Location
Baltimore is a mid-sized port city with distinct neighbourhoods, a strong food and arts scene and a lower cost of living than Boston or New York. Homewood sits in north Baltimore next to the Baltimore Museum of Art, and a free university shuttle links it to the medical campus in East Baltimore and the Peabody Institute in Mount Vernon. Washington, D.C. is about an hour away by MARC or Amtrak train.
Nearest airport: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Notable alumni
- MB Michael BloombergFounder of Bloomberg L.P. and former mayor of New York City; B.S. 1964
- WW Woodrow Wilson28th U.S. President; Ph.D. in government and history 1886
- WM Wes MooreGovernor of Maryland; B.A. in international relations and economics 2001
- RC Rachel CarsonMarine biologist and author of Silent Spring; M.S. in zoology 1932
- JD John DeweyPhilosopher and education reformer; Ph.D. 1884
- WB Wolf BlitzerCNN anchor; M.A. in international relations, SAIS 1972
Frequently asked questions
What is Johns Hopkins' acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Hopkins admitted 3,072 of 50,259 first-year applicants, about 6.1%, according to its 2025-26 Common Data Set.
Does Johns Hopkins require the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Hopkins requires standardized testing. Fall 2025 enrollees had a middle-50% SAT of 1530-1565 and an ACT composite of 35.
Is Johns Hopkins Early Decision binding?
Yes. Both Early Decision I (November 1) and Early Decision II (January 2) are binding; Regular Decision (January 2) is not.
Is Johns Hopkins need-blind for international students?
No. Hopkins is need-aware for international students who apply for aid, but it meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans for those admitted.
How much does Johns Hopkins cost?
The 2026-27 on-campus cost of attendance for first-years is $94,858, including $68,670 tuition. Families earning up to $200,000 pay no tuition.
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.
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