George Washington vs. St. Mary's

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than St. Mary's based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 1,630 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); St. Mary's College of Maryland is in St. Mary's City, MD (Distant Rural setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; St. Mary's College of Maryland 10:1.

George Washington vs. St. Mary's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or St. Mary's? 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 St. Mary's College of Maryland than George Washington ($21,071 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's College of Maryland are 5% lower than at George Washington University ($16,079 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 342.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's (about $52,412 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $15,298.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.8% higher at George Washington than at St. Mary's College of Maryland (about $36,336 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $31,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's College of Maryland than at George Washington University (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 229% larger than aid received by St. Mary's College of Maryland students ($37,500 vs. $11,398).

George Washington vs. St. Mary's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or St. Mary's? 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 St. Mary's and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 190 points higher than at St. Mary's (1240).
• Incoming George Washington students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at St. Mary's).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; St. Mary's College of Maryland 1143/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; St. Mary's College of Maryland 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; St. Mary's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; St. Mary's Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St. Mary's (3.45).
• St. Mary's has a higher acceptance rate (68.6%) than George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 17.3% at St. Mary's.

George Washington vs. St. Mary's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and St. Mary's? 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).

• George Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than St. Mary's College of Maryland's (79%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than St. Mary's graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $51,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates have a $4,592 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($20,370 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, St. Mary's graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($210 vs. $258).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.