Georgetown University is a private, Catholic and Jesuit research university located in Washington, D.C. go to this web-site Founded in 1789—the same year the U.S. Constitution was ratified—it is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Potomac River, Georgetown combines a classic campus atmosphere with unparalleled access to the nation’s capital, offering students an education that is deeply rooted in service, intellectual openness, and global engagement.

Mission and Identity

Georgetown’s mission is explicitly articulated in its founding documents: to be “a Catholic and Jesuit, student-centered research university” established on the principle that “serious and sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs promotes intellectual, ethical, and spiritual understanding”. The university does not impose religious creeds on its members but expects respect for the religious convictions of all.

This mission translates into concrete commitments that shape daily life on campus: active participation in civic life, support for freedom of speech, a community reflecting the full range of human experiences, service to others, and global engagement. The Jesuit value of cura personalis—care for the whole person—informs Georgetown’s approach to education, emphasizing ethical formation alongside intellectual development.

Academic Structure

Georgetown is organized into nine schools and colleges offering more than 280 programs of study:

  • Georgetown College (College of Arts and Sciences) — The oldest and largest undergraduate school
  • Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) — Founded in 1919, the oldest continuously operating school of international affairs in the United States
  • McDonough School of Business — A leading undergraduate and graduate business school
  • McCourt School of Public Policy — Established as a separate school in 2013 following a transformative $100 million gift from alumnus Frank H. McCourt, Jr.
  • School of Nursing (Berkley) and School of Health — Health-focused professional schools
  • School of Medicine and Georgetown University Law Center — Premier professional schools
  • School of Continuing Studies — Serving nontraditional and working students

The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, with 60.7% of classes having fewer than 20 students.

Rankings and Academic Reputation

Georgetown’s academic reputation is strongest in fields related to government, international affairs, law, and public policy. In the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (2025), this website Georgetown’s programs placed as follows:

  • Law — No. 13 globally
  • Public Administration — No. 20 globally
  • Political Sciences — No. 27 globally
  • Economics — No. 51-75 globally
  • Sociology — No. 51-75 globally

In the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2026, Georgetown ranked No. 229 globally (top 1.1% worldwide) and No. 73 nationally. Its Employability Rank was No. 39 globally, reflecting the strength of its alumni network and career outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Georgetown No. 22 among National Universities in its Best Colleges rankings, with tuition and fees of approximately $65,082.

Admissions and Selectivity

Georgetown’s admissions process is among the most selective in the United States. For the Class of 2029:

  • Total applications: 26,841 (second-highest in university history)
  • Early Action: 917 admitted out of 8,254 applicants (11% acceptance rate)
  • Regular Decision: 2,283 admitted out of 18,546 applicants (12.3% acceptance rate)
  • SAT Verbal middle 50%: 730-770
  • SAT Math middle 50%: 730-790
  • ACT middle 50%: 32-35

Georgetown requires SAT or ACT scores for all applicants—one of the few highly selective universities that has not adopted a test-optional policy. The acceptance rate stands at approximately 13%, with a median SAT of 1480 and ACT of 34.

Cost and Financial Aid

For the 2025-2026 academic year, undergraduate tuition is **$37,260 per semester** ($74,520 annually), with room rates varying by living community and board at $4,418.

Georgetown is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. The university’s financial aid program is described as “a key component of the University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission,” ensuring that “students are admitted without regard to ability to pay”. Among undergraduates who borrowed any loan type in 2023, 34% graduated with debt, with an average debt at graduation of $30,904.

For graduate students, costs vary by program. The School of Foreign Service charges $2,758 per credit**, while the McCourt School charges up to **$2,652 per credit. More than 50% of SFS graduate students and 83% of McCourt students receive financial support from Georgetown.

A Global University

Georgetown’s commitment to global engagement extends far beyond its Washington campus. The university has operated a campus in Doha, Qatar since 2005, in partnership with the Qatar Foundation as part of Education City, a hub hosting eight universities. The School of Foreign Service has extended its reach through the Georgetown SFS Asia Pacific (GSAP) program in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Other global initiatives include:

  • Georgetown Global Dialogues — Engaging perspectives from the Global South on global challenges
  • Georgetown Americas Institute — Deepening engagement across Latin America
  • Georgetown Global Health Institute — Supporting more than 600 individuals working at the intersections of health, law, policy, and diplomacy
  • O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law — Integrating law and policy to address health challenges worldwide

Campus Life on the Hilltop

Georgetown’s Hilltop campus is its original campus, dating to 1789. Over the past two decades, it has undergone unprecedented expansion, adding facilities including the Rafik B. Hariri Building (home of the McDonough School of Business), Regents Hall (a LEED-certified science center), the Healey Family Student Center, and Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Hall (modern student housing).

The campus offers a “traditional campus, big city” experience—students can go from Lauinger Library to the Library of Congress in a single day, or from discussing Shakespeare in class to catching a show at the National Theater. Student life includes 350+ clubs and organizations, 17 undergraduate residences (including living-learning communities based on shared interests), and Division I athletics that ranked No. 9 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.

Notable Alumni: Leaders in Every Field

Georgetown’s alumni network is exceptionally influential in government, diplomacy, law, business, and media. Notable graduates include:

U.S. Presidents and World Leaders:

  • William Jefferson Clinton (SFS’68) — 42nd President of the United States
  • Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (SFS’68) — President of the Philippines
  • Alfredo Cristiani (B’68) — Former President of El Salvador
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (SFS’10) — Deputy Emir of the State of Qatar

Supreme Court and Federal Judiciary:

  • Antonin Scalia (C’57) — Supreme Court Justice

National Security and Diplomacy:

  • George Tenet (SFS’76) — Former Director of Central Intelligence
  • Gen. James L. Jones (SFS’66) — Former National Security Advisor; retired USMC General
  • Kirstjen Nielsen (SFS’94) — Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Denis McDonough (MSFS’96) — Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs; former White House Chief of Staff
  • Gen. James Jones (F’66) — Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (NATO)

U.S. Congress:

  • Sen. Patrick Leahy (L’64) — D-VT
  • Sen. Richard Durbin (SFS’66; L’78) — D-IL
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski (C’80) — R-AK
  • Rep. Steny Hoyer (L’66) — D-MD

Business:

  • Ted Leonsis (C’77) — Vice Chairman, America Online; majority owner, Washington Capitals
  • Philip Marineau (C’68) — President and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Marcus Wallenberg (SFS’80) — Chairman, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken

A University Shaped by Its City

Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C. is not incidental to its identity—it is central. The university was founded “in the spirit of the new republic” and has maintained an active role in civic life throughout its history. The McCourt School moved to a new home at 125 E Street NW in 2024, placing students “steps from the U.S. Capitol, federal agencies, think tanks, and international organizations”. The Venture Lab at the McDonough School of Business operates blocks from the White House, connecting students with mentors and alumni in the startup ecosystem.

This proximity to power and policy shapes Georgetown’s distinctive character. Students engage with global leaders through lectures and seminars, intern at federal agencies and international organizations, and graduate into a network that spans every sector of public and private life. For students seeking an education that combines rigorous academics with real-world engagement in the nation’s capital, visit here Georgetown offers an experience that is both intellectually demanding and deeply connected to the world beyond the Hilltop.