George Washington University: Where the City Becomes Your Classroom

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., George Washington University (GWU or GW) offers something few universities can match: the ability to step out of a lecture hall and directly into the world of government institutions, international organizations, tech companies, global media, and research think tanks. For students who want their education to be embedded in a global capital, GW feels less like a campus and more like a launchpad.

Fast Profile

  • Location: Washington, D.C. (Foggy Bottom & Mount Vernon campuses)

  • Total Enrollment: ~25,000 students

  • Undergraduate Enrollment: ~11,700

  • National University Ranking: #63 (U.S. News 2025)

  • International Students: ~14–15% of total enrollment

  • Endowment: ~$2.6 Billion

  • Yearly Internship Opportunities: Approx. 12,000+

  • Average Class Size: ~29 students

  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~43–47% (recent years)

  • Middle 50% SAT Range: 1350–1490

  • Middle 50% ACT Range: 30–34

  • Average High School GPA of Admitted Students: 3.7–3.9 (unweighted equivalent)

  • Test Policy: Test-optional (varies year to year)

Cost (Estimated)

  • Tuition (2025–2026): ~$69,780

  • Housing & Meal Plans: ~$17,600–$21,000

  • Total Estimated Cost of Attendance: ~$87,000–$91,000 before financial aid

What Makes GW Stand Out?

1. A Campus Intertwined with D.C.

GW is one of the few universities located literally steps away from the White House, State Department, World Bank, IMF, embassies, and major newsrooms. These are not occasional field trips, they become part of everyday life. Many students schedule classes for two or three days a week and spend the others interning in Congress, at a federal agency, a nonprofit, a global consulting firm, or a think tank.

The city acts as a laboratory, and students learn to navigate professional environments while still in college. By the time they graduate, many have resumes that look like early career portfolios.

2. A Global Student Body

International students make up roughly 14–15% of the entire student population and come from over 140 countries. This makes GW especially attractive for students who want to study global affairs, international relations, diplomacy, business, or public health while learning alongside peers who bring lived experiences from around the world.

In classrooms, discussions are informed by diverse perspectives something especially valuable in political science, communications, economic policy, global health, and cultural studies.

3. Strong Endowment and Institutional Resources

With an endowment of around $2.6 billion, GW has the stability to support research, scholarships, new campus initiatives, and expansion of programs. While not as large as Ivy League endowments, it is strong enough to maintain competitive academic resources, labs, visiting scholar programs, and global partnerships.

4. Internship and Career Ecosystem

GW advertises over 12,000 internship openings per year not by coincidence, but because of where it is located.

Students routinely intern at:

  • The White House

  • U.S. Senate & House offices

  • Department of State

  • United Nations agencies (in D.C. or abroad)

  • Defense, cybersecurity, and technology firms

  • International development nonprofits

  • Global health organizations like WHO and NGOs

Unlike most universities, internships are not just summer activities they are built into the rhythm of the academic year.

Strong Academic Programs

Elliott School of International Affairs

One of the top schools for global studies, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and regional studies. Students often pursue language study, internships abroad, and study-abroad semesters in politically significant destinations.

Milken Institute School of Public Health

Known for research in epidemiology, global health, and public health policy. Proximity to federal health agencies gives students unique access to public health policy formation.

School of Media & Public Affairs

Ideal for students who want journalism, media production, public relations, or political communication careers. Many students intern at CNN, NBC, The Washington Post, political campaigns, and international press bureaus.

School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)

Particularly strong in cybersecurity, data analytics, biomedical engineering, and government-tech interfaces fields where the Washington, D.C. location provides meaningful applied experience.

School of Business

Well-connected to consulting firms, policy institutes, and international markets. Business students frequently pursue combined studies in political economy, finance, and data analytics.

Campus Life and Student Culture

Urban and Integrated

GW is not a traditional closed campus. Foggy Bottom blends seamlessly with the city. Students live in residence halls, historic row houses, and urban-style housing. The Mount Vernon campus offers a quieter, more residential environment, and a shuttle links both campuses.

Clubs and Organizations

With 450+ student-led organizations, students can find or create their own communities. Expect groups connected to cultural identity, debate and Model UN, pre-law, entrepreneurship, consulting, volunteerism, and performance arts.

Study Abroad

GW encourages global mobility. Many students spend a semester in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, or Latin America. Elliott School students, in particular, often balance internships and overseas immersion experiences.

Admissions Strategy for Applicants

Who Thrives Here?

Successful GW students tend to be:

  • Self-directed and proactive

  • Comfortable in dynamic, fast-paced environments

  • Interested in civic engagement, policy, and global issues

  • Ready to combine coursework with real-world experience

Strengthening Your Application

To be competitive:

  • Highlight leadership, global awareness, and initiative

  • Demonstrate commitment to civic or public-interest work

  • If applying test-optional, ensure essays and activities clearly show academic readiness

Students who thrive at GW are not passive, they seek out opportunities, build networks, and take advantage of the D.C. environment.

Career Outcomes

Students graduate prepared not only academically but professionally. Alumni are heavily represented in:

  • Federal agencies

  • Consulting firms

  • International NGOs

  • Global health organizations

  • Intelligence and cybersecurity agencies

  • News organizations

  • Public advocacy institutes

  • Graduate programs, including Ivy League law and policy schools

Networking is not something students learn later it begins day one.

The Bottom Line

George Washington University is ideal for students who want an education shaped directly by the world around them. Its location, internship access, global student community, and professional networking culture create an environment where learning is active, applied, and ambitious.

If you want a traditional, quiet, self-contained college experience, GW may feel overwhelming.
But if you want a college that places you in the center of power, policy, media, diplomacy, and global decision-making, GW stands out as one of the strongest choices in the United States.