HomeCompare › Georgetown vs UCLA

Georgetown University vs UCLA

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

12.2% Georgetown acceptance
8.6% UCLA acceptance
$90,648 UCLA cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Georgetown
Washington, District of Columbia
Private
Founded
1789
Enrollment
20,385
Setting
Urban
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
Public
Founded
1919
Enrollment
47,606
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UCLA saves $20,501
Georgetown
$64,440
UCLA
$43,939
Acceptance Rate UCLA more selective
Georgetown
12.2%
UCLA
8.6%
Graduation Rate Georgetown higher
Georgetown
95%
UCLA
92%
Avg SAT Score Georgetown higher
Georgetown
1490
UCLA
1405
Starting Salary Georgetown higher
Georgetown
$79,600
UCLA
$68,700

Detailed Comparison

Metric Georgetown UCLA Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$64,440$43,939UCLA
Tuition (In-State)$64,440$13,401UCLA
Room & Board$19,392$17,231UCLA
Acceptance Rate12.2%8.6%UCLA
Graduation Rate95%92%Georgetown
Average SAT14901405Georgetown
Student-Faculty Ratio11:118:1Georgetown
Enrollment20,38547,606-
Avg Financial Aid$42,780$21,490Georgetown
Starting Salary$79,600$68,700Georgetown
Endowment$4.7B$8.0BUCLA
Campus Size104 acres419 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Georgetown
$335,328
4-year total (private)
VS
UCLA
$244,680
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Georgetown = $164,208 | UCLA = $158,720. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Georgetown Top Majors

GovernmentInternational RelationsBusinessBiologyEconomics

UCLA Top Majors

BiologyPsychologyEconomicsPolitical ScienceSociology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
GeorgetownUrban
UCLAUrban
Campus Size
Georgetown104 ac
UCLA419 ac
Athletics
GeorgetownNCAA D1
UCLANCAA D1
Region
GeorgetownNortheast
UCLAWest
Founded
Georgetown1789
UCLA1919
Enrollment
Georgetown20,385
UCLA47,606

Need Help Choosing Between Georgetown & UCLA?

Get free personalized guidance from college admissions experts. Application strategy, essay reviews, and financial aid help.

Get Free College Guidance →
✓ 100% free consultation ✓ Expert admissions advisors ✓ No obligation

Helpful Resources

Tools and services to help with your college journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgetown or UCLA harder to get into?+
UCLA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 8.6% compared to 12.2%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Georgetown or UCLA?+
At sticker price, UCLA costs less over 4 years ($244,680 vs $335,328). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Georgetown offers an average of $42,780/year in aid while UCLA offers $21,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Georgetown and UCLA?+
The average SAT score at Georgetown is 1490 and at UCLA it is 1405. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Georgetown or UCLA graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Georgetown have a higher average starting salary ($79,600 vs $68,700). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Georgetown has a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UCLA has 18:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Georgetown and UCLA compare for campus life?+
Georgetown is located in Washington, District of Columbia (urban setting) with a 104-acre campus. UCLA is in Los Angeles, California (urban setting) with 419 acres. Georgetown competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UCLA in NCAA D1.