by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in District of Columbia, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **7** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 7 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Explore the leading colleges below:
No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year in District of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Georgetown University graduates report median early-career earnings of $79,632. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at George Washington University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at American University, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. American University students take on a median of $24,139 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Catholic University Of America one of the top colleges in District of Columbia. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Median early-career earnings reach $65,120. Catholic University Of America students take on a median of $25,771 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Howard University earned it the #5 place in District of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Howard University graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,810. Median early-career earnings reach $58,495. Graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans.
Trinity Washington University landed the #6 spot in District of Columbia this year. Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,610. Trinity Washington University graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,796. Graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans.
Strayer University Global Region ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Washington, DC, Strayer University Global Region is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 8%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,920. Median early-career earnings reach $59,916. Typical student debt is $45,932.
Gallaudet University placed #8 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Gallaudet University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,654. Median early-career earnings reach $44,489. Students borrow a median of $24,123 to complete a degree here.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #9 in this year's ranking. University Of The District Of Columbia is a public school based in Washington, DC. University Of The District Of Columbia graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,060. Graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans.
Potomac College Washington placed #10 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Potomac College Washington is a private for-profit institution. Potomac College Washington posts a six-year graduation rate of 27%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,660.
Strayer University District Of Columbia landed the #11 spot in District of Columbia this year. Located in Washington, DC, Strayer University District Of Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Strayer University District Of Columbia graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,916. Typical student debt is $45,932.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.