Head-to-head comparison
Georgetown University vs. New York University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Georgetown or NYU harder to get into?
NYU is harder to get into than Georgetown. NYU's 9.2% acceptance rate is lower than Georgetown's 12.2%.
Which is cheaper, Georgetown or NYU?
NYU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, NYU's average net price is $37,050 vs $40,815 at Georgetown.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Georgetown graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at Georgetown and $82,509 at NYU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Georgetown | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 12.2% | 9.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1410–1540 | 1480–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,762 | $84,374 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $40,815 | $37,050 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,958 | 28,663 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.8% | 87.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,494 | $82,509 |
| Setting | Washington, D.C. | New York, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
NYU is modestly harder to get into. The 3.0-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Georgetown graduates earn $20,985 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. NYU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
NYU is substantially larger with 28,663 undergrads vs 7,958 at Georgetown. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Georgetown is in Washington, D.C.; NYU is in New York, New York. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 13.3%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Georgetown's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (94.8% vs 87.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Georgetown is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Georgetown | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.0% | 59.3% |
| International | 13.3% | 26.1% |
| White | 46.1% | 22.0% |
| Asian | 15.4% | 22.2% |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 14.4% |
| Black | 4.9% | 6.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Georgetown vs. NYU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Georgetown if
- Your odds are realistic at Georgetown (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,494 vs $82,509)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the School of Foreign Service
Pick NYU if
- Net price matters: NYU costs $3,765 less per year on average
- the Tisch School of the Arts
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Georgetown University
12.2% accept · Washington, D.C.
Full profile
New York University
9.2% accept · New York, New York
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.