George Washington vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

George Washington vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or U of R? 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 Rochester than George Washington ($40,462 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 14.5% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,920 vs. $19,792).
• George Washington University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $630 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at George Washington than at University of Rochester (about $630 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of Rochester (78% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 21.3% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($45,500 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or U of R? 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 U of R and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 50 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming George Washington students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at U of R (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; U of R - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at U of R (3.75).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 15.4% at U of R.

George Washington vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and U of R? 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 Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($24,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More George Washington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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.