Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in District of Columbia

Trinity Washington University stands apart with a net cost of just $12,233 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, creating a $35,686 gap between the most and least expensive options in the District. This affordability matters given D.C.'s high living costs and the federal government's demand for liberal arts graduates across agencies like State Department and congressional offices. Six private institutions dominate the field, with graduation rates ranging from 44% to 94%. Georgetown leads with 94% completion despite accepting only 12% of applicants.

Programs

$12,233 – $47,919

Net Price Range

$62,012

Avg. Program Earnings

75.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Trinity Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$12,233	$26,110	44.4%	97.0%
2	The Catholic University of America Washington, District of Columbia	$32,798	$55,834	81.3%	85.6%
3	George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia	$37,454	$64,990	85.2%	49.0%
4	Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia	$39,433	$65,081	94.3%	12.2%
5	American University Washington, District of Columbia	$41,945	$56,543	78.5%	40.6%
6	Howard University Washington, District of Columbia	$47,919	$33,344	68.9%	53.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What creates the massive cost difference between Liberal Arts programs in D.C.?

Trinity Washington University charges $12,233 net compared to Howard University's $47,919, a difference of $35,686 annually. Financial aid packages and institutional endowments create these variations, though all six schools are private nonprofits with similar base operations costs.

How selective are Liberal Arts programs at D.C. universities?

Acceptance rates span from Georgetown's highly selective 12% to Trinity Washington's open-access 97%. The Catholic University of America accepts 86% of applicants while maintaining an 81% graduation rate, showing that selectivity doesn't always predict completion.

Does the $62,012 median earnings justify these program costs?

Liberal arts graduates earn $62,012 ten years post-graduation, which covers student loan payments from most D.C. programs. Federal employment opportunities in the District provide stable career paths that value the critical thinking and communication skills these programs develop.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.