George Washington University is a private research university in the centre of Washington, DC, a few blocks from the White House. It is best known for international affairs, political science, public health, law and business, with internships across the federal government built into student life. Choose it for a top-70 US degree at the heart of American policy.
Washington, DC, United States
Official website: gwu.edu
#371
Top 10 master's in international relations (Foreign Policy)
Top 15 in the US (U.S. News)
Four blocks from the White House
$62,000 – $70,000
International students, undergraduate and most master's programmes
$22,000 – $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on gwu.edu before you apply.
MA International Affairs (Elliott School)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MBA (GW School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
BA International Affairs
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Elliott School — a top-10 international affairs school with the State Department and World Bank as neighbours.
Internships — students routinely work at Congress, federal agencies, embassies and think tanks during term.
Milken Institute School of Public Health — a top-15 US programme.
Alumni include Colin Powell, Jacqueline Kennedy and leaders across US politics.
Graduates join the State Department, World Bank, Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon and Capitol Hill offices.
GW MBA graduates report median base salaries around USD 110,000.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Public health alumni enter the CDC, NIH, WHO and Washington's health NGOs.
Undergrad
5 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The Foggy Bottom campus is woven into downtown DC, a few blocks from the White House and the National Mall, with its own Metro station and the Kennedy Center next door.
Washington is a walkable capital with free museums, embassies and the largest concentration of policy jobs in the US. Rent is among the highest in the country, though internships are plentiful.
Form I-20 issued by George Washington University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, Early Decision I closes 1 November 2026, and Early Decision II and Regular Decision both close 5 January 2027. Graduate deadlines vary by school: the Elliott School closes in January, public health in February, and most engineering master's have rolling rounds.
Undergraduates start in the fall (late August). Many master's programmes, including computer science, data science and public health, also admit for spring (January), while the Elliott School and the MBA are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. The International Services Office issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
International affairs, computer science, public health, the MBA and data science attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a strong bachelor's degree, TOEFL 90-100 or IELTS 6.5-7.0, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is selective, with an acceptance rate around 45%.
Yes. International undergraduates are considered for merit scholarships worth up to USD 30,000 a year when they apply, though need-based aid is not available. Graduate scholarships are awarded by each school on merit; the Elliott School and the engineering school offer partial tuition awards.
