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Georgetown University is a high-end private university in Washington, D.C., in a large city. It is a mid-size university with around 20,392 undergraduate students. Its admissions are highly competitive with Georgetown's rate of acceptance at around 13%. Some of its most popular majors are Social Sciences, Business, Health Professions, English Literature, and Foreign Languages. The six-year graduation rate is 94%, and Georgetown graduates have a median starting salary of about INR 98,03,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from $118,900 median earnings).
The University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) is a highly respected public institution in Los Angeles, California, in a city environment. It is a large school with an enrollment of approximately 46,678 undergraduate students. Admissions are highly competitive with UCLA's acceptance rate standing at around 9%. Some popular majors are Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Engineering, and History. The six-year graduation rate is 90%, and the starting salary of the UCLA graduates is around INR 58,40,000 (equivalent to $70,700 median earnings at ten years after graduation).
| Georgetown University | University of California | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.5 Out of 10 | 7.8 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 201 Times Higher Education 2026 # 285 QS World University 2026 # 201 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 18 Times Higher Education 2026 # 46 QS World University 2026 # 17 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 136 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 180 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 | # 13 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 12 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 12 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -43 PG Programs -42 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -24 PG Programs -43 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 0.0 % | 9.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-7 TOEFL-100 | GMAT-703 GRE-325 IELTS-7 TOEFL-87 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 51300.40 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 59700 [For PG Program] | Average Tuition Fees 42993 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 26544 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 27396 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability Ranks (2020): #111-120 | Graduate Employability rank: QS-#3 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the top public universities in Los Angeles, United States. It is ranked #44 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
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| application requirements | Supplemental applications are required, alumni interviews may also be conducted, three subject scores are preferred. | 94% in 12th for UG and 83% in bachelors for graduate admission; Name and email of references; Statement of Purpose |
| Campuses and B-Schools | McDonough School of Business | Anderson School of Management |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 6.3/10 Read 1 reviews | 8.0/10 Read 11 reviews |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Georgetown University | University of California |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1789 | 1919 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9.5:1 | 20:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 0% Female | 49% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | The university has 4 campuses in Washington DC located in neighborhood of Georgetown, Claredon and Virginia. The main campus is located on elevated site of Potomac River. | Five mile from Pacific Ocean, Located in West-wood neighborhood of LA |
| Library | Total books collection- 3,115,408. Journals- 220,486. Films- 46,054. Primary Source Collections- 1000. The university has 10 libraries. | 12 million print and electronic volumes |
| Campus Life | The university has 350 clubs and organizations, 17 UG residence, and explore over 2,000 dining places in D.C. There are 5 outdoor spaces on-campus helping in unwinding. There are 15 coffee shops within 10 blocks of the university. You can also serve the D.C community by volunteering. There are also various sports teams to join and wellness activities to indulge in. | Over 100 Student organizations |
| Hostel | - | #Food & Housing - $27396 |
| Famous Alumni | Antonin Scalia (former associate justice of Supreme Court of US), Chris Sacca (investor), Bradley Cooper (actor), Dick Durbin (US Senator), Robert Gates (former US secretary of defense), Saad Hariri (former PM Lebanon), Robert Lighthizer (US trade representative), Lisa Murkowski (US Senator), etc. | 14 Nobel laureates, 15 Mac Authors |
| City Life | Washington is home to 170 embassies, 2000 world-class restaurants, 17 attractions like museums, zoo, etc, and 34 national parks and monuments. D.C is home to a number of recruiters ranging from marketing, finance, biological sciences, and others. The unemployment rate for June 2020 is 8.6% | Los Angeles (LA) is the second most populous city of USA; Hollywood is located here; 841 Museums and art galleries, California Beaches, Disneyland park, Los Angeles offers various concert halls, regular festivals, and bustling nightlife; Ranked 7th on Global City Index and 9th on Global Economic Power Index; Unemployment rate in December 2019 was 4%; Industries employing maximum number of people are healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing |
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Georgetown University vs University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA)
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Georgetown and UCLA are highly ranked institutions, with UCLA ranking higher in global systems consistently. According to QS World University Rankings 2026, UCLA stands at approximately 44th rank, whereas Georgetown stands at approximately 285th. Times Higher Education ranks UCLA at #18, as against Georgetown at #201, which indicates UCLA's wider international research reputation.
In subject rankings, Georgetown is strong in Law, International Relations, Political Science, and Business and regularly features in the top 20 nationally. UCLA dominates in Engineering, Medicine, Psychology, and Life Sciences and regularly features in the top 20 internationally in these fields. Georgetown is policy-oriented and humanities-oriented in its strengths, whereas UCLA's strengths are STEM and health sciences.
General Information
Georgetown, established in 1789, is a private institution in Washington, D.C., with a student population of approximately 20,392. It provides a compact, city-centered campus with solid liberal arts and professional programs. UCLA, created in 1919, is a public institution in Los Angeles, California, and is substantially larger, with 46,678 students. Its Westwood campus encompasses more than 400 acres and blends academic life into Southern California's cultural and technology landscape.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both institutions have very competitive admissions. The acceptance rate at Georgetown is roughly 13%, whereas at UCLA it's lower at 9%. The average Georgetown applicant sends SAT scores (1390–1550); UCLA doesn't use SATs, relying on GPA and holistic considerations. Georgetown looks for leadership and international involvement; UCLA prizes academic achievement and diversity.
Research Impact & Infrastructure
UCLA is a research giant, boasting more than 290 research centers, such as the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Anderson School of Management. It is one of the nation's top research universities for research funding and innovation. Georgetown has research that is more policy-focused, with significant centers in law, ethics, and global health. Being geographically close to federal institutions increases its influence in diplomacy and public service.
Cost & Financial Aid
Georgetown's price tag is around $64,896/year, versus UCLA's in-state rate of $11,834, and $42,611 for out-of-state. Georgetown dispenses average grant assistance of $46,729, versus UCLA's $22,441, although more UCLA students are aided (49% vs. 36%). UCLA's lower net price and public support make it more reasonably priced overall, particularly for California residents.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement
Georgetown alumni have a median salary of $118,900 a decade after graduation, compared to UCLA alumni, who have approximately $70,700. Georgetown's alumni are well-represented in government, law, international relations, and business, as well as UCLA's in entertainment, technology, medicine, and academia. Each of the schools boasts greater than 90% graduation rates, with alumni characterized as leaders and global influencers—Georgetown in policy and diplomacy, UCLA in research and innovation.
