Georgetown admits approximately 13.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 8 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Georgetown among the highly selective universities in the United States, specifically in the 10-25% admission rate tier. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Georgetown's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private universities, Georgetown's 13% acceptance rate represents significant competitive pressure. This level of selectivity means that many exceptionally qualified students—including those with strong test scores, outstanding grades, and impressive extracurricular achievements—face uncertainty in the admission process. Students who would excel at Georgetown may not receive admission due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots. For this reason, students considering Georgetown should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic rigor and career outcomes. The sections below provide guidance on building a balanced application strategy and identify alternative institutions that deliver similar post-graduation results with more accessible admission processes.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Georgetown's admitted students demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across standardized testing measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1390 at the 25th percentile to 1550 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 1494. This means most admitted students score between 1390 and 1550, representing the middle 50% of enrolled students. Students scoring below 1390 can gain admission but represent a smaller portion of the class. SAT Math scores range from 690 to 780, while SAT Verbal scores span 700 to 770, indicating balanced strength across both testing areas. ACT scores range from 32 at the 25th percentile to 34 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 34. Georgetown's SAT midpoint of 1494 compares to a peer median of 1256, representing a 238-point advantage that places Georgetown's admitted students well above typical selective institution standards. These score ranges reflect Georgetown's position among the most academically competitive universities nationally. Students whose scores fall within the 25th-75th percentile ranges are academically competitive for admission, though test scores represent only one component of Georgetown's holistic review process. Students scoring below the 25th percentile should expect to face additional competitive pressure and should consider whether their academic profile aligns with Georgetown's typical admitted student when building their college application list.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Georgetown enrolls a student body that reflects selective admission priorities with limited socioeconomic diversity. The university enrolls 10.3% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 10 students comes from families earning less than $50,000 annually. First-generation students comprise 16.1% of enrollment, meaning students whose parents did not complete four-year college degrees represent a modest share of the student body. Transfer students account for 10.4% of enrollment, indicating limited pathways for students seeking to enter Georgetown after starting elsewhere. These enrollment patterns place Georgetown below many public flagship universities in terms of socioeconomic diversity but within the typical range for highly selective private institutions. The relatively low Pell share reflects both Georgetown's limited need-based financial aid and the inherent challenges lower-income students face in gaining admission to highly selective institutions. Students from lower-income families should note the 10.3% Pell share when assessing whether Georgetown's student environment aligns with their backgrounds and experiences. First-generation students should consider the 16.1% representation as context for the peer support and institutional familiarity they might expect on campus.
Given Georgetown's 13.1% acceptance rate, most applicants will need backup options that deliver comparable career outcomes. Smart students build balanced lists with schools offering similar post-graduation results.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Georgetown demonstrates exceptional retention and completion outcomes for enrolled students across demographic groups. 97.1% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.1%, indicating strong student satisfaction and institutional support systems. The graduation rate reaches 94.3%, compared to a peer median of 70%, demonstrating Georgetown's ability to support students through degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 86.7%, creating a 7.6 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. This gap, while present, remains smaller than at many selective institutions and suggests that Georgetown provides meaningful support systems for lower-income students who gain admission. The high overall completion rate indicates that students who gain admission typically possess both the academic preparation and institutional support necessary for degree attainment. Students who gain admission to Georgetown can expect an environment with strong peer academic performance and institutional resources designed to support degree completion. The retention and completion data suggest that Georgetown's selective admission process successfully identifies students who can thrive in the university's academic environment, though the Pell gap indicates some ongoing challenges in supporting students from lower-income backgrounds.
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