Understanding George Washington University Tuition, Room, and Board Costs

For prospective students and their families, understanding the costs associated with attending George Washington University (GWU) is crucial for financial planning. This article provides a detailed overview of tuition, room and board expenses, fees, and available financial aid options at GWU.

Tuition and Fees

George Washington University's tuition is more expensive compared with the national average cost of tuition. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.

Undergraduate Tuition Rates

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition at GWU was $67,420. In 2023 the George Washington University's tuition was $70,170. The estimated cost for the 2025-2026 academic year is $69,780 for both new and continuing undergraduate students. The matriculation fee for new, incoming students (first-year or transfer) is $350. Continuing students do not pay this fee annually. In 2025-2026 academic year mandatory fees were $390.

It's important to note that the actual cost of attendance can vary depending on the degree program.

Law School Tuition

Full-time Juris Doctor (JD) students (12 or more credits per semester) pay a flat tuition fee, while part-time students (11 credits or fewer per semester) pay per credit hour. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition per credit hour is $2,650.

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Room and Board

Room and board costs are a significant part of the overall cost of attendance.

Undergraduate Housing and Food

For the 2024-2025 academic year, room and board were approximately $16,920. The estimated cost for housing and food for the 2025-2026 academic year is $17,600 for new students and $21,030 for continuing students. These costs are an average estimate for students living in GW's residence halls. As students progress in their studies, more room options, such as modern suites and apartment-style living, become available.

Cost of Living Allowance (Law School)

The cost of living allowance (room and board, personal, transportation) is the same for full- and part-time law students. Excluding books and tuition, the 2025-2026 Cost of Attendance (COA) allows approximately $3,326.66 per month to live on for nine months. This allowance is based on annually surveyed average GW Law student costs.

Total Cost of Attendance

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses.

Undergraduate Estimated Costs

The total estimated cost of tuition and room & board for the 2024-2025 academic year was around $84,340 per year. At George Washington University, the total cost is $88,855.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the estimated costs for new, first-time undergraduate students are $92,345, while for continuing students, the estimated costs are $95,425. In addition to tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and food, these estimates include $4,225 for books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. It is important to remember that actual expenses will vary based on each individual student. These items are considered indirect costs not direct costs to attend college.

Law School Cost of Attendance

The Law School establishes the costs of attendance ("COA") for the nine-month academic year (fall and spring). The annual COA includes the cost of tuition, books and supplies, and living allowances: room (rent, utilities) and board, transportation, and personal expenses.

Financial Aid

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for scholarships and grants, both through George Washington University and external sources, can also help offset these costs.

To apply for federal financial aid, students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For institutional aid consideration at GWU, students must also submit a CSS Profile. The Financial Aid Application Due is February 1.

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Types of Aid Available

George Washington University met 91% of its students’ financial aid need.

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These scholarships take a student’s financial status into account and do not need to be paid back. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at George Washington University was $43,676. In fact, 51% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. In 2025, the average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award was $42,265.
Merit-Based Aid: Also called non-need-based aid, this type of aid is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at George Washington University - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $25,357. The average non-need-based aid in 2025 was $25,140.
Need-Based Self-Help Aid: This includes federal loans and work-study programs. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $7,338.

Average Net Price

The average net price to attend George Washington University is $45,466 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Financial Aid Statistics

In 2025:

42.45% of students received financial aid.
97.07% of freshmen with need received financial aid.
The average aid package awarded was $64,025.
The need-based loan amount was $6,412.

Work-Study Programs

Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

At George Washington University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $20,449. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $217. The typical amount of loans a student must pay back is $34,685.

In 2024:

Average Total Indebtedness of Graduating Class was $34,685
32% of graduating students have borrowed (any loan type, 2024)

Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.

Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses.

Additional Considerations for Law School Students

If you will be obtaining federal loans to cover the COA, consider that every dollar obtained from a federal student loan is essential $2 that you will pay back over 20 years. Loan Origination Fees will be added to the COA post-acceptance of federal loans. Consider reducing spending by doing simple things like living with roommates, cooking your own food instead of eating out, walking or biking to and from campus, and taking advantage of the many free forms of entertainment available in the DC area.

For certain documented authorized costs, the Law School Financial Aid Office allows you to increase your COA, but only so that you may borrow more loans.

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