Colleges in District of Columbia
8 colleges in District of Columbia that award bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates: 1 public and 7 private. Among colleges where most degrees awarded are bachelor's, the lowest average net price is at Trinity Washington University ($9,302 a year after grants). Numbers are averages for students receiving federal aid; open a school to see what a family at your income pays.
| College | City | Type | Undergrads | Acceptance | Avg. net price | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Washington | Private | 7,266 | 62% | $41,943 | 75% | $77,370 |
| Gallaudet University | Washington | Private | 812 | 58% | $15,845 | 47% | $43,101 |
| George Washington University | Washington | Private | 11,182 | 47% | $36,586 | 84% | $90,873 |
| Georgetown University | Washington | Private | 7,569 | 13% | $40,815 | 95% | $103,494 |
| Howard University | Washington | Private | 10,108 | 41% | $50,539 | 70% | $63,066 |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington | Private | 3,154 | 83% | $29,561 | 79% | $73,250 |
| Trinity Washington University | Washington | Private | 1,414 | 100% | $9,302 | 49% | $53,804 |
| University of the District of Columbia | Washington | PublicBachelor's & associate · 49% bachelor's | 3,351 | — | $10,648 | 33% | $44,236 |
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, latest reported year. Graduation within 6 years; earnings are the median 10 years after starting college.
Best value in District of Columbia for your income
The District of Columbia colleges that pay back fastest for a family at your income: what it costs to finish after grants, set against how much more former students earn than high school graduates in District of Columbia. Pick your income.
| # | College | Net price / yr | Cost to finish | Earnings, 10 yrs | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $18,329 | $74,966 | $103,494 | 1.1 |
| 2 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $22,080 | $89,866 | $90,873 | 1.7 |
| 3 | Trinity Washington UniversityPrivate | $8,502 | $36,134 | $53,804 | 2.3 |
| 4 | American UniversityPrivate | $26,035 | $106,483 | $77,370 | 2.7 |
| 5 | The Catholic University of AmericaPrivate | $24,723 | $101,117 | $73,250 | 2.9 |
| 6 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $50,245 | $209,019 | $63,066 | 8.4 |
| 7 | Gallaudet UniversityPrivate | $14,236 | $67,906 | $43,101 | 13.8 |
Colleges where most degrees awarded are bachelor's, ranked by years of earnings gain needed to repay the cost to finish at this income. Cost to finish = net price after grants × the average years graduates took (IPEDS). Earnings gain = former students' median earnings 10 years after starting (College Scorecard) minus $38,184 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in District of Columbia (Census ACS 2020-2024). Before taxes, interest and earnings given up while in school. Method
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