Harvard vs Georgetown - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Harvard admits 3.6% of applicants, while Georgetown admits 13.5%.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Harvard: $64,796 against $74,732, or $9,936 less a year.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Harvard: a midpoint of 1553 against 1480, a difference of 73 points.
Students admitted to both more often choose Harvard (83.6% enrol, against 43.9%).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 13.5% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #501-600). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($102K vs $103K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $74,732 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Georgetown for: higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 13.5% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1480).
Georgetown graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($103K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 94.8%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $74,732); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $63,415).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Georgetown |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 13.5% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 43.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | - |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 26,822 |
| International students | 15.7% | 14.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $103K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $168K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 94.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.3% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $15,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $74,732 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $63,415 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $33,272 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 19,905 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Georgetown?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Georgetown accepts 13.5%.
Do Harvard or Georgetown graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $102K at Harvard and $103K at Georgetown.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Georgetown?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $74,732 per year at Georgetown.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Georgetown?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1480 at Georgetown; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Georgetown?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #501-600 for Georgetown.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Georgetown?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $63,415 at Georgetown.
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern
North Carolina