Search “Georgetown masters programs” and you’ll land on a general admissions page that tells you almost nothing useful — because there isn’t one answer. Georgetown runs 110 different master’s programs across its schools, and tuition, test requirements, and scholarship policy change from department to department. The Georgetown University masters programs pages themselves are scattered across a dozen different school websites, which is exactly why most applicants end up confused. This guide pulls the actual numbers together in one place.
How Many Masters Programs Does Georgetown Actually Offer?
Georgetown offers Georgetown University masters programs across 110 distinct fields, alongside 41 doctoral programs and several certificate options. The university is best known internationally for its Walsh School of Foreign Service (international relations and diplomacy), the McDonough School of Business, and its growing Data Science & Analytics and Biotechnology programs — but “known for” doesn’t always mean “right for you.” The size of the catalog is exactly why picking a program by reputation alone tends to backfire.
💡 Pro Tip: Before comparing Georgetown University masters programs by ranking, check which school administers your specific program — SFS, McDonough, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the School of Continuing Studies all set their own tuition, test policies, and deadlines independently.
What Does Tuition Actually Cost?
This is where the confusion usually starts. There’s no single tuition figure across Georgetown University masters programs — each program bills per credit hour, and the rate varies significantly. The MS in Environment & International Affairs runs about $79,560 a year based on 30 required credits at roughly $2,652 per credit. The Master’s in Data Science & Analytics charges closer to $2,758 per credit for 2026-27, which works out to roughly $82,740 for the same 30-credit load. Average graduate tuition and fees across the university sit around $61,670, but total cost of attendance — tuition, fees, housing, and books combined — can reach closer to $94,000 a year once living expenses in Washington, DC are factored in.
The takeaway: don’t budget off a university-wide average. Pull the specific per-credit rate for your program’s school before you plan your finances.
Do You Need the GRE or GMAT?
For most Georgetown University masters programs, no. GRE scores aren’t required for the Computer Science graduate programs, the MS in Biotechnology, or several School of Continuing Studies programs — though some departments still accept scores if you have them and want to strengthen a borderline application. GMAT policy is similarly program-specific, particularly for McDonough’s business degrees, so it’s worth checking your exact program page rather than assuming either way.
TOEFL and IELTS Requirements Vary More Than You’d Expect
English proficiency cutoffs aren’t standardized across Georgetown University masters programs either. The Computer Science department accepts a minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based), while the Data Science & Analytics program requires a minimum of 100. IELTS minimums run from 7.0 in the School of Continuing Studies to 7.5 for Data Science & Analytics. If you already hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an English-medium institution, most programs will waive the requirement entirely — but confirm this in writing rather than assuming.
⚠️ Warning: Some Georgetown program pages still list the old TOEFL iBT score scale (0-120) alongside the newer 1-30 section-based scale that started rolling out in January 2026. Double-check which scale a program’s minimum score refers to before you submit.
What Does the Application Actually Require?
Across nearly all Georgetown University masters programs, you’ll need official transcripts, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, a current resume, and an application fee that runs around $90 for graduate applicants. Some programs, like the MS in Biotechnology, also encourage (though don’t require) a third-party unscripted interview through a service like InitialView to strengthen your file — useful if your English proficiency scores are borderline. Full English proficiency policy for most programs is listed on Georgetown’s Graduate School admissions page.
| Program | School | Approx. Annual Tuition | TOEFL Min. | IELTS Min. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Environment & International Affairs | School of Foreign Service | ~$79,560 | Program-specific | Program-specific |
| MS in Data Science & Analytics | Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | ~$82,740 | 100 | 7.5 |
| MS in Computer Science | Department of Computer Science | Per-credit, varies | 80 | Not specified (program-level) |
| MS in Biotechnology | Biomedical Graduate Education | Program fee + per-credit | Program-specific | Program-specific |
| School of Continuing Studies Master’s | School of Continuing Studies | Per-credit, varies | 100 (recommended) | 7.0 (recommended) |
Funding and Scholarships for International Students
Because international students generally can’t access federal work-study, funding usually comes down to three sources: program-specific merit scholarships (many departments across Georgetown University masters programs offer partial-tuition awards based on the strength of your application), teaching or research assistantships in select departments, and external scholarships sourced through the Office of Global Services’ country-specific funding lists. On-campus jobs outside of federal work-study are still available to international students, just processed through a different mechanism than domestic students use.
Can International Students Work On Campus at Georgetown?
Yes, under standard F-1 visa rules — up to 20 hours a week during the semester and full-time during official breaks. Federal work-study itself is restricted to US citizens and eligible non-citizens, but Georgetown’s individual departments and campus offices still hire international students directly for many of the same roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many masters programs does Georgetown University offer?
Georgetown offers 110 master’s programs across its various schools, alongside 41 doctoral and several certificate programs.
Is the GRE required for Georgetown masters programs?
Most programs, including Computer Science and Biotechnology, don’t require it, though policies vary by department — always check your specific program page.
What is the minimum TOEFL score for Georgetown University masters programs?
It ranges from 80 to 100 on the internet-based scale depending on the specific program, with Data Science & Analytics on the higher end.
How much does a Georgetown masters degree cost for international students?
Per-credit rates vary by program, but total annual cost typically falls between $75,000 and $95,000 including tuition, fees, and living expenses in Washington, DC.
Can international students get scholarships at Georgetown?
Yes, most departments across Georgetown University masters programs offer merit-based partial-tuition scholarships, in addition to external and country-specific funding sources listed by the Office of Global Services.
Final Thoughts
The single biggest mistake applicants make with Georgetown University masters programs is treating the university as one uniform system. It isn’t — tuition, test score cutoffs, and scholarship policy are all set at the department level. Once you’ve picked your specific program, go straight to that program’s own admissions page rather than the general Georgetown site, and you’ll get numbers you can actually plan around.
Related reading: Check out our guides on USA Student Visa Guide and Cost of Studying in USA for more on planning your application.
