George Washington vs. BU

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Boston University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Boston University 10:1.

George Washington vs. BU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or BU? 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 Boston University than George Washington ($24,420 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 11% lower than at Boston University ($16,920 vs. $19,020).
• Boston University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $392 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at BU than at George Washington University (about $392 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Boston University (78% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($61,848 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. BU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 50 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming BU 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; Boston University 1420/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Boston University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; BU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at BU (3.79).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 37.4% at BU.

George Washington vs. BU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than BU graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $72,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $2,038 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($24,962 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington 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.