Best Colleges in District of Columbia 2026

District of Columbia has 19 colleges and universities in our database; 12 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 12 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).

Schools Ranked

$59,498

Avg. Earnings

61.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 12 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia	94.3%	$103,494	12.2%	$65,081
2	George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	85.2%	$90,873	49.0%	$64,990
3	American University Washington, District of Columbia	78.5%	$77,370	40.6%	$56,543
4	Howard University Washington, District of Columbia	68.9%	$63,066	53.4%	$33,344
5	University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus Washington, District of Columbia	50.0%	$34,961		$6,660
6	The Catholic University of America Washington, District of Columbia	81.3%	$73,250	85.6%	$55,834
7	University of the District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia	26.3%	$44,236		$6,152
8	Gallaudet University Washington, District of Columbia	46.6%	$43,101	59.2%	$18,382
9	Saint Michael College of Allied Health Washington, District of Columbia	83.9%		57.6%	$19,405
10	Strayer University-Global Region Washington, District of Columbia	20.0%	$40,092		$13,920
11	Trinity Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	44.4%	$53,804	97.0%	$26,110
12	Career Technical Institute Washington, District of Columbia	55.8%	$30,227