George Washington vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

George Washington vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than George Washington ($18,427 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 12.5% lower than at George Washington University ($14,800 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 210.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $45,907 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at George Washington than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $8,198 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (78% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($37,500 vs. $28,715).

George Washington vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 50 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming UVA 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; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA 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 UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 40% at UVA.

George Washington vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than UVA graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $5,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.