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Georgetown Acceptance Rate: What You Need to Know (2026)

Georgetown University occupies a unique position in American higher education. Located in Washington, D.C., it is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university and one of the most respected institutions for international affairs, government, law, and public policy. The Walsh School of Foreign Service, the McDonough School of Business, and the College of Arts and Sciences all rank among the best in their fields. For the Class of 2030 (entering fall 2026), Georgetown’s acceptance rate is approximately 12%, reflecting both its rising profile and steadily growing applicant pool. Georgetown’s D.C. location gives students unmatched access to government agencies, think tanks, embassies, and international organizations.

Admissions Statistics at a Glance

Metric	Class of 2030 (2026 Entry)
Acceptance Rate	~12%
Total Applicants	~26,500
Admitted Students	~3,180
Enrolled Class Size	~1,650
SAT Range (Middle 50%)	1440-1550
ACT Range (Middle 50%)	33-35
Average Unweighted GPA	3.92
Early Action Acceptance Rate	~11%

Historical Acceptance Rate Trend

Georgetown has become steadily more selective over the past five years as application volume continues to grow.

Admission Cycle	Acceptance Rate	Total Applicants
Class of 2026 (2022 Entry)	12.0%	26,100
Class of 2027 (2023 Entry)	12.0%	25,800
Class of 2028 (2024 Entry)	12.0%	26,000
Class of 2029 (2025 Entry)	~12%	~26,300
Class of 2030 (2026 Entry)	~12%	~26,500

While Georgetown’s acceptance rate has remained relatively stable compared to some peers, the quality of the applicant pool has increased significantly, making the effective competition stiffer even without dramatic rate changes.

What Georgetown Looks For

Academic Excellence

Georgetown expects rigorous academic preparation. Most admitted students have taken the most demanding curriculum available at their high school, including multiple AP or IB courses, and have earned unweighted GPAs above 3.9. Standardized test scores are required — Georgetown is one of the few top universities that still mandates SAT or ACT submissions. The middle 50% SAT range is 1440-1550, and the ACT range is 33-35.

Extracurricular Depth and Service

Consistent with its Jesuit mission, Georgetown places particular value on service to others and engagement with issues of social justice. Applicants who demonstrate sustained commitment to community service, advocacy, or public interest work often resonate with the admissions committee. That said, Georgetown also values leadership, intellectual curiosity, and excellence in any extracurricular domain — from debate and Model UN to athletics and the arts.

Essays

Georgetown uses its own application (not the Common Application) and requires several short essays. One of the most important asks why you are drawn to Georgetown and your chosen school within the university. Successful essays demonstrate genuine knowledge of Georgetown’s programs, Jesuit values, and how the D.C. location connects to your goals. Specificity matters: name courses, professors, centers, or programs that align with your interests.

Interviews

Georgetown strongly recommends an alumni interview and considers it an important part of the application. Interviews are evaluative, and admissions officers read the alumni report alongside your application. Prepare to discuss your academic interests, extracurricular commitments, and why Georgetown is the right fit for you. Be conversational and authentic.

Recommendations

Two teacher recommendations and one counselor recommendation are required. Georgetown values letters that address your intellectual engagement, work ethic, and character.

Acceptance Rate by Application Type

Georgetown offers a non-binding Early Action option.

Application Type	Approximate Acceptance Rate	Deadline
Restrictive Early Action	~11%	November 1
Regular Decision	~12%	January 10

Georgetown’s Early Action acceptance rate is roughly comparable to the Regular Decision rate, which is unusual among selective universities. This is partly because Georgetown’s EA program is restrictive (you cannot apply EA to other private universities simultaneously), and the admissions committee does not show a strong preference for early applicants. Apply EA if Georgetown is a clear top choice, but do not expect a significant statistical advantage.

Financial Aid and Cost

Georgetown meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, making it one of the more affordable elite private universities for high-need families.

Financial Aid Metric	Detail
Total Cost of Attendance (2025-2026)	~$86,000
Students Receiving Need-Based Aid	~45%
Average Need-Based Grant	~$55,000/year
Meets 100% of Demonstrated Need	Yes
Need-Blind Admissions (U.S. Citizens)	Yes
Average Student Debt at Graduation	~$24,000

Georgetown’s commitment to meeting full demonstrated need means that admitted students from lower- and middle-income families can attend at a significantly reduced cost. The university does not offer merit-based scholarships; all financial aid is need-based.

Key Takeaways

Georgetown’s acceptance rate for the 2026 entry cycle is approximately 12%, with a highly competitive applicant pool.
Georgetown requires standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), unlike many peer institutions that have gone test-optional.
The alumni interview is an important and evaluative component of the application. Prepare thoughtfully.
Georgetown’s Jesuit mission means that service, social justice engagement, and ethical leadership are valued alongside academic achievement.
Financial aid is strong: Georgetown meets 100% of demonstrated need and practices need-blind admissions for U.S. citizens.

Next Steps

Verify all admissions data with the institution directly. Acceptance rates and requirements change annually.