George Washington vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

George Washington vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than George Washington ($23,570 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 11.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,920 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $976 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Penn than at George Washington University (about $976 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of Pennsylvania (78% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 74.6% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($65,458 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or Penn? 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 Penn and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 110 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Penn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 68% at Penn.

George Washington vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $43,100 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $4,329 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($20,633 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.