George Washington University, or GWU, is a private research university located in the heart of Washington, D.C. It has approximately 26,000 students, including a significant number of international students. GWU is highly renowned for Political Science, International Relations, Law, Business, and Public Health, with its Washington, D.C. location offering unparalleled access to federal offices, NGOs, and international agencies. Admissions are competitive with an acceptance rate of roughly 44%. The graduation rate is around 82%, and alumni earn median salaries of roughly INR 68,00,000 (about $81,000) ten years after graduation.
University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is a public research flagship institution in College Park, Maryland, just beyond the Washington, D.C. area. It has approximately 41,000 students and is widely renowned for Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Public Policy, and Journalism. UMD balances its challenging STEM and professional offerings with campus life and DC area opportunities. It has selective admissions with a total acceptance rate of 45%. The graduation rate is 87%, and the median graduate earnings are approximately INR 66,00,000 (approximately $79,000) at ten years post-graduation.
| University of Maryland | George Washington University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.9 Out of 10 | 5.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 207 QS World University 2026 # 92 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 112 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 358 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 # 284 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 18 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 74 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 176 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 31 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -81 PG Programs -88 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -71 PG Programs -67 |
| Acceptance Rate | 34.3 % | 44.0 % |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 36891 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 19326 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 59780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 32250 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 27500 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | University of Maryland, College Park is one of the top public universities in College Park, United States. It is ranked #=164 in QS World University Rankings Average Salaries Are Listed Below:
| Engineering graduates earn an average pay of $123,238. Median salary of undergraduate programs is $50k. 96% of the students get employed or continue their education. |
| application requirements | 2 LORs, activities and awards list along with resume are also required for UG students as well, submit essay prompts, auditions for some programs like music, etc. | Submit official transcripts Submit scores of standardized tests Submit English language proficiency Check program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Robert H. Smith School of Business | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 23 reviews | 6.7/10 Read 9 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 52 for Business by US News 2025 # 87 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 125 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 97 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 61 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | GMAT - 640/800GRE - 320/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 96/120 | Duolingo - 110/160GRE - 314/340IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -58239 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -54632 |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 15, 2025 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 13, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Maryland | George Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1856 | 1821 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 12:1 |
| Male:Female | 53% Male, 47% Female | 40% Male, 60% Female |
| Location Facts | The suburban college is located in a designated area “college park” Maryland. The other campus is located in Baltimore. There is an urban forest located on-campus. The campus lies near to the transit center which makes it accessible. | GW has three fully integrated campuses in the Washington, D.C. area. These are the Foggy Bottom Campus, the Mount Vernon Campus, and the Virginia Science and Technology Campus |
| Library | Overall 4 million titles in collection, comprising- print books collection (2,016,845); e-books (6,305,045); ejournals (501,554); print journals (60,900); streaming media titles (308,256), films & videos (35,089); audio files (46,796). The total collection with other libraries is over 100,000. | Libraries that are part of the university includes the flagship Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library on the main campus in Foggy Bottom, Eckles Library on the Mount Vernon Campus in Northwest DC. |
| Campus Life | Over 800 student clubs and organizations offering you an option to indulge in arts, music, theatre, and more. The university has two main dining halls for you to enjoy a hearty meal. The college also has intramural & sports clubs and division I teams. You can indulge in fraternities, sororities, community services, and civic engagement. | Living at GW grants you the rare opportunity to encounter a variety of new cultural experiences while learning and interning at world-class institutions. Residence hall life is an essential aspect of your college experience, and some of your lifelong friends will first be your neighbors and roommates. During your time at GW, you’ll likely find fellow students who share your interests. Whether it's leadership, politics, arts and culture, athletics or service that moves you, GW students engage in more than 450 clubs and student organizations on campus. Pursuing your passions and sharing your diversity plays an integral role in building our community. University's open dining plan provides flexibility and personalization, offering you the opportunity to use yours at more than 80 dining and grocery partners on or near the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, and around the city. |
| Hostel | #Room & Board - $10112 #Room & Board - $9214 | #On campus - $13000 #Off campus (not with family) - $13000 #Off campus (with family) - $1500 |
| Famous Alumni | Carl Bernstein (journalist), Larry David (comedian), Sergey Brin (computer engineer & Co-founder Google), Kevin Plank (businessman), Carly Fiorina (businesswoman), Boomer Esiason (football quarterback), David Simon (author), Steny Hoyer (US representative), Judith Resnik (engineer), Len Bias (basketball player), etc. | Derek Curtis Bok, President of Harvard University Lee Kun-Hee, Chairman of Samsung Group |
| City Life | College Park in Prince George’s County is located on the Northeast border of Washington. It is home to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, US National Archives, and National Archives. It shares its neighborhood with Lakeland, Hollywood, Calvert Hills, and Cherry Hills. There are three museums to explore in the city and various historic sites. | The Washington, D.C., metro area has the perks of a large urban area. It's serviced by an extensive public transit system and is home to plenty of restaurants, performance venues, museums, public parks and other cultural sites. Meanwhile, each neighborhood in the district and its surrounding towns has its own atmosphere. Residents gather for block parties, mingle at dog parks and converse at coffee shops, creating an ambiance similar to that of a much smaller community. Living in the district is expensive. The median home sale price is significantly higher than the national median. Your cost of living also depends on where in the metro area's four quadrants you choose to live. |
| Weather |
George Washington University vs University of Maryland
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
George Washington University (GWU): Ranked 358 in QS World University Rankings 2026, GWU is particularly strong in international affairs, political science, law, public policy, business, and health sciences. Its Elliott School of International Affairs and GW Law School are notable.
University of Maryland (UMD): QS 2026 rank of 207, UMD has solid global reputation in engineering, computer science, business, economics, journalism, and public health. Its A. James Clark School of Engineering and Robert H. Smith School of Business are prestigious.
General Information
GWU: A private research university in Washington, D.C., with about 26,000 students. Its urban campus offers unparalleled exposure to political, business, and international organizations, including internships and networking.
UMD: A public flagship research university in College Park, Maryland, just west of Washington, D.C., with a student population of more than 41,000. UMD is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance and possesses a good balance of research and athletics.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
GWU: Extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 44%. Academic, extracurricular, and leadership experience are all considered throughout admissions.
UMD: Relatively selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 45%, competitive particularly for STEM, business, and journalism programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
GWU: Ranked an R1 research university, GWU boasts distinguished programs in law, international affairs, health sciences, and public policy. Its D.C. location also offers proximity to federal agencies, NGOs, and global institutions.
UMD: Another R1 university, UMD boasts a huge research presence with research strengths in STEM, public health, AI, cybersecurity, and climate science, frequently collaborating with agencies such as NASA, NIH, and NSA.
Cost & Financial Aid
GWU: ~USD $65,000/year tuition. Provides generous merit-based and need-based financial assistance, including for foreign students.
UMD: In-state ~USD $12,700/year and out-of-state ~USD $41,000/year tuition, which is less expensive than GWU, especially for Maryland residents.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
GWU: Politicians, lawyers, diplomats, businesspeople, and international affairs professionals thrive as graduates, with key government and NGO alumni networks.
UMD: STEM, business, public service, and journalism graduates are successful, working in tech companies, federal agencies, and Fortune 500 corporations. High-profile graduates.
