In late August, 1,600 first-year undergraduate students started their academic careers on the Hilltop at Georgetown.
Students from the Class of 2028 hail from all over the world, representing 82 countries and all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
The class represents the highest percentage of Pell-eligible students in more than a decade, comprising approximately 15% of the undergraduate Class of 2028.
According to the latest data, the racial and ethnic make-up of the Class of 2028 remained relatively similar to previous years: Of the students who self-reported, Asian American students make up 26% of the class; Black students 9%; Hispanic and Latine students 12%; Native American students 1%; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1%; and white students 63%. International students make up 8% of the class, and 9% did not report their race or ethnicity.
Hoyas also join the Georgetown community representing 22 different religions, enhancing the diversity of the student body, said Georgetown Provost Robert M. Groves.
“At Georgetown, we seek to create a diverse learning environment where all students can thrive and learn from one another,” said Groves. “This is who we are — the foundation of our mission and how we shape and form Hoyas who care for and make our world better. We will continue to employ all permissible efforts to recruit more students of all backgrounds who contribute to our culture of excellence and inclusion.”
A Closer Look at Diversity
In keeping with its mission to welcome students of all backgrounds, Georgetown has worked steadily to build a more racially and socioeconomically diverse student community by developing outreach, pipeline and other programs that foster belonging, mutual support and community on campus.
With the first class to enroll after the Supreme Court banned the consideration of race as a factor in admissions, Georgetown saw a decline in the percentage of admitted students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, similar to other universities in the wake of the affirmative action decision.
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Georgetown worked steadily to reach out to admitted students from a wide variety of backgrounds to encourage their enrollment following their admission.
The university’s Financial Aid Office also avoided the Department of Education’s delay in releasing its Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and awarded financial aid packages on time. Georgetown meets the full financial need of all eligible undergraduate students.
The result was a higher yield of admitted students from underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities this year than in 2023, said Charlie Deacon, dean of admissions.
“Georgetown pursues all available efforts to cultivate and support a diverse Hoya community,” Deacon said. “We will continue our commitment to this work in the years ahead.”
Recruiting, Supporting Students of all Backgrounds
Georgetown continues to recruit, enroll and support students from all backgrounds, both on campus and around the globe.
The university’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions offers recruitment events worldwide and in all 50 states.
In 2022, Georgetown founded a joint travel consortium with four other universities to reach talented students in small towns and rural communities. This consortium, which consists of Brown, Georgetown, Harvard, Howard and the United States Military Academy, travels together biannually to underrepresented regions, including cities and towns in Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Texas and Wisconsin.
The university also hosts Hoya Saxa Weekend every year, inviting admitted high school students who may have less exposure to college to experience campus life on the Hilltop. Prospective students meet with current students and learn more about Georgetown before making their college decisions.
Georgetown has developed programs to support students and cultivate an inclusive, welcoming community once they arrive on campus, like the Georgetown Community Scholars Program, which offers a five-week summer pre-orientation to ease the transition into college.
The Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP), which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, also offers wraparound support for first-generation college enrollees and low-income students.
“At the heart of Georgetown, we care for one another. We care for our students’ whole and full selves. That includes supportive programs. That includes creating a robust and diverse student community that welcomes students of all backgrounds,” said Rosemary Kilkenny, vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion & chief diversity officer. “For we reach our mission — our full potential — when we create a diverse, welcoming and respectful learning environment where all can thrive.”
Quick Stats on the Class of 2028
- The Class of 2028 is made of up 1,600 students studying in Washington, DC, and 126 students studying in Doha, Qatar
Students in DC
- The university received more than 26,000 applications; 12% received an admissions offer.
- The average admitted student was in the top 6% of their high school class.
- 57% of students are female; 42% are male; and 1% self-identified as another gender identity
- The class represents 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
- Students hail from 82 countries
- 12% are first-generation college students
- 15% are Pell-eligible — the largest percentage in more than a decade
- 8% are international students (who do not report race)
- Of the [1,352] students who reported their race:
- Native American: 1%
- Asian American: 26%
- Black: 9%
- Hispanic/Latine: 12%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1%
- White: 63%
- Did not report: 9%
