Virginia vs Georgetown — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Georgetown is the more selective of the two (12.9% vs 16.8% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #501-600). Georgetown graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($103K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $68,017 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 Virginia for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Georgetown for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Georgetown is more selective (12.9% vs 16.8% acceptance); Georgetown has a higher median SAT (1487 vs 1480).
Georgetown graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($103K vs $87K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 94.8%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $68,017); Georgetown offers a larger average aid package ($63,415 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Virginia | Georgetown |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 16.8% | 12.9% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 43.9% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1487 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 26,822 |
| International students | 12% | 18% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $103K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $125K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $168K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 94.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 96.3% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $15,500 |
| Tuition · year | $59,512 | $68,017 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $63,415 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $33,272 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 19,905 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Georgetown?
It's harder to get into Georgetown. Virginia accepts 16.8% of applicants, while Georgetown accepts 12.9%.
Do Virginia or Georgetown graduates earn more?
Georgetown graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $103K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Georgetown?
Sticker-price tuition is $59,512 per year at Virginia and $68,017 per year at Georgetown.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Georgetown?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Virginia and 1487 at Georgetown; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Virginia or Georgetown?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #501-600 for Georgetown.
Which university offers more financial aid — Virginia or Georgetown?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $63,415 at Georgetown.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern