The George Washington University ranked No. 67 out of the 435 best national universities and No. 36 out of the top 205 ranked private universities, according to the latest list from U.S. News & World Report of “Best Colleges.” In the 2024 list, as in previous years, GW continues to occupy strong positions indicating overall excellence.
GW earned multiple spots on the U.S. News “badge-eligible list,” according to the magazine, because of high rankings of its schools and programs. Movements in the university’s rankings are common and generally expected each year that U.S. News adjusts its metrics and their weight in an overall ranking. U.S. News made a number of significant changes to their criteria this year.
GW earned spots on multiple “best of” lists from U.S. News & World Report for 2024. Of the “most innovative schools” among national universities, GW was listed as No. 58.
GW’s study abroad programs are ranked No. 28.
GW was also featured among the best undergraduate academic programs in various disciplines:
- International Business was ranked No. 5.
- Undergraduate Business was ranked No. 38.
- Finance was ranked No. 50.
- The School of Engineering and Applied Science Computer Science program ranked No. 63.
- The School of Engineering and Applied Science ranked No. 74 among undergraduate engineering schools that also offer doctoral degrees.
Earlier this year, U.S. News announced comprehensive changes to the metrics used to develop its annual college and university rankings lists. Methodology adjustments included the removal of several items from their 2023 analysis: alumni giving, faculty with terminal degrees, class size and high school standing of its entering first-year classes are no longer included. New measurements not previously considered were also added, including first generation graduation rates, salary earnings of graduates, and publication citations. There were also multiple modifications to the weight given to the current criteria.
In higher education, there are many indicators of excellence, and various organizations assess various metrics. The university continues to be recognized for excellence in teaching, research and innovation, most recently when it became one of just 71 institutions to receive membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities.
