Georgetown University

Georgetown University

(Georgetown)

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States, located in Washington, D.C. Its Walsh School of Foreign Service is the top-ranked international relations program in the country, and its D.C. location provides direct access to government, diplomacy, and policy careers.

Mascot: Hoya

Notable Alumni

Bradley Cooper (Academy Award-nominated actor)Patrick Ewing (NBA Hall of Famer)Dikembe Mutombo (NBA star and humanitarian)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
13%
SAT (Required)
1390–1530
Avg GPA
3.89
Enrollment
7.9K
Setting
Urban
Founded
1789

Cost

Tuition$72K
Room & Board$21K
Est. Annual Total$93K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

#1 in international relations
DC location for government internships
Walsh School of Foreign Service

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 1
Conference
Big East Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Active
Academic Pressure
Moderate
Greek Life
Small Presence
Campus Beauty
Beautiful

Georgetown doesn't officially recognize a social Greek system (it's a Jesuit school), so off-campus houses and the bars along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue fill the social void. DC internships and political networking are as much a part of the social fabric as weekend parties — this is a campus where students debate foreign policy at brunch. The professional fraternities are bigger deals than social ones, reflecting a student body already thinking about careers in the State Department.

The hilltop campus overlooking the Potomac features Healy Hall's dramatic Flemish Romanesque spires, cobblestone paths, and a blend of Gothic and Federal architecture set against the charming Georgetown neighborhood.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetyVery Safe

Georgetown University Police provides 24/7 security with SafeRides nighttime transportation, blue-light emergency phones, and electronic building access. The compact hilltop campus is well-monitored.

Neighborhood SafetyVery Safe

The Georgetown neighborhood is one of DC's safest and most affluent areas. DC violent crime dropped 28% in 2025, and Georgetown consistently maintains lower crime levels than the broader district.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Select dates throughout the academic year

Duration: About 60-75 minutes

Registration required via the admissions portal. GAAP (Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program) is a student-run volunteer org that also helps prospective students explore campus. Virtual 360-degree tour with 20 stops also available.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

YouVisit virtual reality walking tour with 20 stops, 360-degree photography, and narration. Physical campus is open for self-guided walks.

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Walk to the Exorcist Steps -- the steep, terrifying 75-step staircase at 36th and Prospect NW where the iconic scene from the 1973 film was shot. They were designated a DC Historic Landmark in 2019. Healy Hall's Hogwarts-esque clock tower looms in the background. Fun fact: students have historically stolen the clock hands and mailed them to people they want to visit campus.
Go to The Tombs (1226 36th St NW) -- Georgetown's legendary student bar/restaurant since 1962, located below the upscale 1789 Restaurant. The rowing-themed interior is covered in Georgetown memorabilia. Seniors compete in the '99 Days Club' -- visiting The Tombs every day for the last 99 days of senior year. Order the Crab and Artichoke Dip.
Walk the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath that runs right along the edge of campus -- it's a 184.5-mile National Historical Park and the most scenic running/walking path any university could ask for. Students jog it daily. Then walk down to the Georgetown Waterfront for views of the Kennedy Center and Key Bridge.
Grab a bagel from Call Your Mother (3301 New Mexico Ave NW) -- this Jewish deli has become a DC institution with insanely creative bagel sandwiches. It's what Georgetown students eat. Or hit Thomas Sweet for ice cream and Baked & Wired for cupcakes that locals argue are better than Georgetown Cupcake.
Best Time to Visit

September-October (gorgeous fall, campus buzzing) or April-May (D.C. cherry blossom season nearby, Georgetown Day in spring). Avoid spring break (students leave) and late December. Georgetown has Easter break but no fall break, so mid-October is reliable. Football gamedays don't exist (Georgetown is D1 FCS Patriot League), so weekend energy comes from the D.C. social scene.

Getting There

Southwest Garage (3611 Canal Road NW): $5/hr, max $25/day; $15 after 3pm; $10 after 7pm. Georgetown has NO Metro station -- closest is Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver lines), 15-minute walk, or Rosslyn (Virginia side), walk across Key Bridge. DC Circulator bus Georgetown route also connects to Dupont Circle Metro. From DCA (Reagan National): Metro Yellow/Blue to Rosslyn, walk across Key Bridge (~30 min total). From Dulles: Silver Line Metro to Foggy Bottom (~90 min).

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