gmu.com Competitors

As the State's flagship, the University of Maryland (UMD) strives to bring students deeply into the process of discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. Whenever possible, hands-on research complements classroom instruction. Interdisciplinary collaborations facilitate the understanding of complex problems like cybersecurity and climate change, and international study and diversity help our graduates become global citizens. Its location inside Washington, D.C.'s Beltway, along with its own Metro stop, gives students numerous opportunities to work with neighboring federal agencies and labs, think tanks and foreign organizations.

The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 as the model for modern universities that has since been emulated all over the world. After 200 years, this iconic institution of higher learning endures because it is fully immersed in meeting the greatest challenges of our time, day in and day out. It’s how we fulfill our animating purpose – to serve. UVA is Virginia’s flagship institution of higher learning, perennially ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation. Having the best public college financial aid package and the highest graduation rate in the nation, UVA offers a life-changing return on investment for students from all backgrounds. We promote access so a meritocracy of talent can participate in shaping our society. The revolutionary vision of an Academical Village has evolved to 12 Schools, each providing leadership in its field and attracting world-class talent. The University is the largest employer in the region and is a catalyst for growth across the Commonwealth, generating an annual economic impact of $5.9 billion. Ultimately, we prepare students to be citizen-leaders who themselves are guided by empathy, integrity, and truth. We believe that doing what you do best, for the benefit of others, is where greatness comes from. Which is why, at the University of Virginia, we strive to be great and good in all we do. #GreatandGood #UVA

The George Washington University, an independent academic institution chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1821, dedicates itself to furthering human well-being. The University values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity, and openness to the exploration of new ideas. The George Washington University, centered in the national and international crossroads of Washington, D.C., commits itself to excellence in the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge. To promote the process of lifelong learning from both global and integrative perspectives, the University provides a stimulating intellectual environment for its diverse students and faculty. By fostering excellence in teaching, the University offers outstanding learning experiences for full-time and part-time students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Washington, D.C., the nation, and abroad. As a center for intellectual inquiry and research, the University emphasizes the linkage between basic and applied scholarship, insisting that the practical be grounded in knowledge and theory. The University acts as a catalyst for creativity in the arts, the sciences, and professions by encouraging interaction among its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities it serves. The George Washington University draws upon the rich array of resources from the National Capital Area to enhance its educational endeavors. In return, the University, through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, contributes talent and knowledge to improve the quality of life in metropolitan Washington, D.C.