George Washington vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than William & Mary based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; William & Mary 12:1.

George Washington vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or William & Mary? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William & Mary than George Washington ($19,686 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 4.4% lower than at George Washington University ($16,182 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 161.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $41,796 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at George Washington than at William & Mary (about $16,672 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $51,038.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at William & Mary (78% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 62% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($37,500 vs. $23,144).

George Washington vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or William & Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William & Mary and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 40 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

George Washington vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and William & Mary? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than William & Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $68,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $5,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.