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Urban Colleges in District of Columbia

19 schools in District of Columbia. See our methodology.

Georgetown University's 12.23% acceptance rate makes it one of the most selective institutions in the nation, yet it shares the District of Columbia campus market with universities accepting over 90% of applicants. This contrast defines higher education in the capital, where 19 colleges serve students from Trinity Washington University's $12,233 net price to Howard University's $47,919 annual cost. The federal government and nonprofit sector create unique career pathways for graduates, with Georgetown alumni earning a median $103,494 while other regional graduates start closer to $30,000. American University and George Washington University occupy the middle ground with strong government relations programs, reflecting D.C.'s role as a policy center. Catholic University adds a faith-based option with an 81.3% graduation rate, while the University of the District of Columbia provides public access at $14,693 net cost. Gallaudet University brings specialized deaf and hard-of-hearing education to the mix. Career prospects vary dramatically based on institutional focus, from Georgetown's elite networking to Howard's historically Black university connections throughout government agencies.
19
Schools
$28,164
Avg. Net Price
$57,805
Avg. Earnings
61.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in District of Columbia

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Large 7,462 $39,433 94.3%
2 City-Large 10,848 $37,454 85.2%
3 City-Large 7,593 $41,945 78.5%
4 City-Large 9,604 $47,919 68.9%
5 City-Large 266 $18,868 50.0%
6 City-Large 3,063 $32,798 81.3%
7 City-Large 3,080 $14,693 26.3%
8 City-Large 879 $14,085 46.6%
9 City-Large 123 $39,699 83.9%
10 City-Large 10,087 $18,918 20.0%
11 City-Large 1,415 $12,233 44.4%
12 City-Large 370 $19,920 55.8%
13 City-Large 309
14 City-Large
15 City-Large 34
16 City-Large
17 City-Large
18 City-Large
19 City-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Georgetown University different from other D.C. colleges?

Georgetown accepts only 12.23% of applicants and produces graduates earning $103,494 median income, significantly higher than the regional average. Its School of Foreign Service connects directly to diplomatic careers, while other D.C. universities focus more broadly on government and nonprofit work.

How much do D.C. college costs vary between institutions?

Net prices range from Trinity Washington University's $12,233 to Howard University's $47,919 annually. Public option University of the District of Columbia costs $14,693, while private institutions like American University reach $41,945 for comparable programs and outcomes.

Is Howard University worth the higher cost compared to other options?

Howard's $47,919 net cost produces graduates earning $63,066 median income with a 68.9% graduation rate. As a historically Black university, it offers unique networking and cultural connections, though students pay more than at comparable institutions.

Does attending college in D.C. guarantee government job opportunities?

Not automatically, though proximity helps. Georgetown graduates earn $103,494 median income in various sectors, while University of the District of Columbia graduates average $44,236. Success depends more on institutional reputation and individual preparation than location alone.

Where can students find the best value among D.C. colleges?

Catholic University offers strong value with 81.3% graduation rate at $32,798 net cost, producing graduates earning $73,250 median income. Trinity Washington provides the lowest cost at $12,233 but with 44.4% graduation rate and $53,804 graduate earnings.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.