BA Liberal Studies at Georgetown: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is a four-year, full-time undergraduate degree offered in Washington, D.C., open to international students seeking a rigorous, values-driven education. The program combines flexibility in major selection with Jesuit principles of social justice and intellectual excellence. Total estimated cost is US$354,784 for four years (INR 3.38 Crore), with September 2026 intake. Minimum entry requirements include TOEFL 100 (iBT), SAT 1410-1550, and 3.89+ GPA.

This Bachelor of Arts emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary learning across humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Georgetown’s location in Washington, D.C.—the nation’s capital—enables internships in diplomacy, law, nonprofit leadership, and policy. The program is ideal for students who value intellectual rigor, want to build a broad knowledge foundation before specializing, and seek strong career preparation combined with social impact.

• Flexible major selection: design your degree across liberal arts disciplines, combining humanities, science, and social sciences in your own path.
• Unmatched internship access: Washington, D.C. location opens doors in government, international affairs, policy research, law, and nonprofit sectors.
• High graduate outcomes: 94% graduation rate and median starting salary of INR 63.64 Lakhs (US$66,719) place it in the top tier for liberal arts graduates.

Also Check: Georgetown University Admission Requirements

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Fees and Living Costs 2026

Georgetown’s total cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses. All figures below are for the 2025-2026 academic year.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 95.30 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• Tuition dominates total cost at 68% of annual expenses; room and board is the second-largest component at 22%.
• Mandatory fees include health insurance, technology fees, and campus services; carefully review the fee statement before enrollment.
• International students are not eligible for federal student loans, making scholarships and family funding critical.
• Application fee is US$85-90 (non-refundable); fee waivers are available for verified financial hardship.

Cost of Living in Washington, D.C. for Liberal Studies Students

Washington, D.C. is an expensive city with higher-than-average housing and dining costs for the United States. Most Georgetown students live on campus, which includes meal plans.

Tip for Indian students: Georgetown’s on-campus housing requirement for first and second-year students (typically 60% of students live on campus year-round) reduces off-campus living costs significantly. Budget an additional US$1,500-2,000 annually (INR 1.43-1.91 Lakhs) for personal expenses beyond tuition, including health insurance, travel home during breaks, and emergency savings.

Read More: Cost of Living Guide for International Students in USA

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Admission 2026

Georgetown’s undergraduate admissions process is holistic, evaluating academic credentials, test scores, essays, and extracurricular contributions. For Fall 2026, the acceptance rate is approximately 12.7%, making Georgetown highly selective.

Intakes and Academic Eligibility

• GPA should be 3.85 or higher; anything below 3.80 places you at significant competitive disadvantage despite strong test scores.
• SAT is preferred; ACT accepted equally, but recent Georgetown data shows 70% of admitted students submitted SAT.
• Georgetown is test-optional for US domestic applicants starting Fall 2025; international students should submit SAT/ACT for strongest applications.
• Course rigor matters: AP, IB, and honors courses in mathematics, sciences, and humanities strengthen candidacy significantly.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) for International Students

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency through standardized testing. Georgetown accepts multiple tests with strict minimum thresholds.

• TOEFL 100 is the standard benchmark for Indian applicants; IELTS 7.0 (with 7.0 reading minimum) is harder to achieve and requires strong writing skills.
• Test scores are valid for two years; take TOEFL/IELTS by November 2024 to ensure scores reach Georgetown before the January 10, 2025 deadline.
• DET (Duolingo) is newer and less common; verify directly with Georgetown admissions before relying on it as your sole proof of English proficiency.
• Waiver available if you completed secondary schooling in English at an accredited institution; bring official transcripts clearly labeling medium of instruction as English.

Georgetown University is ranked #23 nationally by US News & World Report, placing it among the top 25 universities in the United States. The university has consistently held this position for a decade, reflecting strength across all disciplines including liberal arts.

Tip for Indian students: Georgetown’s 12.7% acceptance rate means fewer than 1 in 8 applicants are admitted. Indian applicants typically have stronger academic profiles than the admitted average; however, competition from other international applicants is intense. Aim for TOEFL 105+ and SAT 1500+, plus demonstrated leadership in leadership through strong essays and recommendations, to strengthen your candidacy.

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Application 2026

The application process is conducted entirely online through the Common App platform. All supporting documents—transcripts, test scores, recommendations, essays—must be submitted by the January 10, 2025 deadline for Fall 2026 entry.

• Supplemental essays are your voice: choose the optional third essay if it strengthens your candidacy (Georgetown reads all submitted material).
• Counselor recommendation must come from your school; if homeschooled, a mentor or community figure can substitute with prior approval.
• WES credential evaluation takes 4-6 weeks; request evaluation immediately after exam results are finalized in your home country.

Application tip: Submit by mid-November if possible, not January 10. Georgetown reviews applications rolling until the deadline; early submission increases your chances for financial aid consideration in the rare cases international aid is awarded.

Check Out: Georgetown Admission Portal and Requirements

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Scholarships 2026

International undergraduates at Georgetown face limited scholarship availability. Georgetown-funded scholarships for international students are extremely rare and awarded only to a handful of admitted applicants each year.

Scholarship Opportunity for International Students

The Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Scholarship for Peace is Georgetown’s only dedicated international undergraduate scholarship. It is awarded to 2-5 international students per year who demonstrate exceptional financial need and embody Georgetown’s Jesuit values of social justice. Award amounts typically range from US$5,000 to US$25,000 annually (INR 4.77 Lakhs to INR 23.83 Lakhs), though full-ride recipients are extraordinarily rare.

• Eligibility: Must be admitted to the university first; scholarship consideration is automatic for all admitted international applicants who indicate they need financial aid.
• Award likelihood: Approximately 2-5% of admitted international students receive any Georgetown-funded aid; competition is extreme.
• Deadline: No separate application; indicate financial need on your admission application by submitting the CSS Profile.

Scholarship Reality for Indian Applicants

If you do not receive financial aid in your first year, you will not be offered it in subsequent years. Indian applicants should assume no institutional aid will be available and plan accordingly. Alternative funding sources include Indian government scholarships (e.g., Ministry of External Affairs scholarships for study abroad), education loans from Indian banks (e.g., ICICI, HDFC), and private education loan providers offering forex-denominated loans.

Scholarship reality: Georgetown is need-aware for international applicants, meaning admissions decisions reflect your financial need. Applying for aid reduces admission chances slightly. If you can afford the full cost, do not apply for financial aid; your admission probability improves. If you cannot afford full cost without aid, apply honestly—Georgetown’s small amount of aid reaches only 2-5% of international students.

Also Check: Georgetown University Scholarships and Financial Aid

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Salary and Placements 2026

Georgetown’s liberal arts graduates have strong employment outcomes, with 94% graduation rate and rapid placement into professional roles. Median starting salary for liberal arts bachelor’s graduates is US$66,719 (INR 63.64 Lakhs).

Source: Georgetown Cawley Career Education Center Senior Survey, US Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Top employers for Georgetown liberal arts graduates include the U.S. State Department, international NGOs, consulting firms, financial services, education, and media.
• Washington, D.C. location provides immediate access to government, nonprofit, and think-tank careers; 30% of graduates stay in D.C. long-term.
• Internships during sophomore and junior years are critical; Georgetown’s Office of Career Education reports that 85% of students with 2+ internships have job offers before graduation.
• Salary varies significantly by sector: finance and consulting start at US$70,000+, while nonprofit and public service roles start at US$45,000-55,000.

ROI reality: Total four-year cost (INR 3.40 Crore) takes 5-6 years of work to recover at median starting salaries; however, Georgetown degrees open doors to higher-paying career tracks in consulting, finance, and law. The majority of graduates earn well above the median within 10 years.

Read More: Georgetown Career Outcomes and Alumni Data

United States Visa and Post-Study Work 2026

International students at Georgetown study on an F-1 Student Visa, which permits full-time enrollment for the duration of the program. After graduation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows work experience in the United States before returning home or pursuing permanent residence.

• F-1 Visa: Covers four-year undergraduate degree; requires proof of financial support (I-20 form + bank statement), valid passport, and medical examination before entry to the USA.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): After graduation, eligible graduates receive up to 12 months of work permit (24 months for STEM graduates if the B.A. is designated STEM by the government, which Liberal Studies generally is not).
• H-1B Visa: After OPT, graduates can apply for H-1B specialty occupation work visa; typically sponsored by employers in consulting, finance, government, or nonprofits; highly competitive with annual caps.
• Green Card pathway: Requires employer sponsorship through Employment-Based (EB) categories or marriage to a U.S. citizen; timeline is typically 4-8 years for EB categories.

Visa reality: F-1 status is straightforward for undergraduate study; the challenge is transitioning to post-study work. OPT is guaranteed for liberal arts graduates, but H-1B sponsorship is competitive and unpredictable. Plan to return to India or a home country after OPT unless an employer actively sponsors your H-1B application. Green Card timelines are long and uncertain; do not assume U.S. permanent residence is achievable.

Also Check: Complete Guide to U.S. Student Visa for International Students

Georgetown University Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies Ranking 2026

Georgetown University does not receive a subject-specific ranking for Liberal Studies or General Studies from QS, THE, FT, ARWU, or US News. However, the university’s overall reputation is exceptionally strong: Georgetown ranks #23 nationally by US News & World Report and is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities globally by QS World Rankings.

Georgetown’s strength lies in its Jesuit tradition, Washington, D.C. location, and strong programs in international relations, government, economics, and humanities. A Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Georgetown carries significant prestige in graduate school admissions and employer recruitment, particularly for roles in government, law, consulting, and nonprofit leadership.

Key insight: While no subject-level ranking exists for liberal arts at Georgetown, the university’s #23 U.S. ranking and strong international reputation mean that employers and graduate programs recognize a Georgetown B.A. as equivalent to specialized degrees from lower-ranked schools. The degree’s value comes from the institution’s overall prestige, not a specific ranking in the liberal studies discipline.