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2024 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in District of Columbia

8 Colleges
$47,584 Avg Salary
$27,317 Avg Student Debt

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a college degree. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Top District of Columbia Colleges for a Bachelor's ranking - to help you make that decision.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best School for You

Our analysis looked at 8 schools in District of Columbia to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a bachelor's degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Student Loan Borrowing

Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well. During their time at college, bachelor's degree seekers from schools in District of Columbia take out an average of $27,317. The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.

Additional Ranking Factors We Use

Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt. These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.

Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology

Other Rankings

Associate Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Grad School Rankings
Overall Best Colleges Ranking Overall Rankings
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in District of Columbia

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
2,120 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$58,686 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,394 Average Student Debt

Our analysis found Georgetown University to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in District of Columbia in this year’s ranking. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 2,120 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown go into careers with an average salary of $58,686 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $16,394. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $769.

Read full report on Georgetown University

2
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
3,572 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$50,440 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,378 Average Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Washington University. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in District of Columbia list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,572 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from GWU make an average of $50,440 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,378. Average monthly loan payments are around $532 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on George Washington University

3
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia
2,109 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,128 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,433 Average Student Debt

A rank of #3 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in District of Columbia list means American University is a great place for students working on their degree. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,109 students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,128 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,433. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $674.

Full American University Report

4
CUA crest
Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia
884 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,826 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,760 Average Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Catholic University of America helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in District of Columbia. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 884 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from CUA go into careers with an average salary of $47,826 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,760 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $765.

Learn More About Catholic University of America

5
Gallaudet crest
Gallaudet University
Washington, District of Columbia
209 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$31,074 Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,327 Average Student Debt

A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in District of Columbia list means Gallaudet University is a great place for students working on their degree. Gallaudet is located in Washington, District of Columbia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 209 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet make an average of $31,074 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $19,327 in student loans.

Read full report on Gallaudet University

6
Howard crest
Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia
1,542 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,873 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,989 Average Student Debt

Howard University landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in District of Columbia ranking. Howard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,542 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Howard make an average of $39,873 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $24,989 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $769.

Learn More About Howard University

7
University of the District of Columbia crest
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, District of Columbia
378 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,209 Average Early-Career Earnings
$38,930 Average Student Debt

University of the District of Columbia did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in District of Columbia ranking, coming in at #7. University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, District of Columbia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 378 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,209 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $38,930 after getting their degree.

Read full report on University of the District of Columbia

8
Trinity College crest
Trinity Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia
245 Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,838 Average Early-Career Earnings
$35,722 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Trinity Washington University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in District of Columbia list. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 245 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Trinity College make an average of $42,838 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $35,722 after getting their degree.

Full Trinity Washington University Report

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Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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