by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in District of Columbia, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **7** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 7 colleges on more than 20 objective measures 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.
The best college for you depends on what you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Georgetown University to be the best college in District of Columbia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median 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. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $73,749. Typical student debt is $22,910.
The strong outcomes at American University earned it the #3 place in District of Columbia. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. American University graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,585. Graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans.
Out of the 7 colleges in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, Wesley Theological Seminary landed the #4 spot. Set in Washington, DC, Wesley Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $53,160.
You'll be in good company at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete a degree here.
Howard University placed #6 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,810. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,495. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete a degree here.
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc landed the #7 spot in District of Columbia this year. Based in Washington, DC, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $76,934.
Trinity Washington University placed #8 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Trinity Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,796. Graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans.
Strayer University Global Region ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Washington, DC, Strayer University Global Region is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 8% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Strayer University Global Region graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,916. The median student debt is $45,932.
University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #10 spot in District of Columbia this year. Set in Washington, DC, University Of The District Of Columbia is a public institution. University Of The District Of Columbia graduates 44% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,060 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans.
Gallaudet University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Washington, DC, Gallaudet University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gallaudet University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,654. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,489. The median student debt is $24,123.
Potomac College Washington landed the #12 spot in District of Columbia this year. Potomac College Washington is a private for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 27%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,660.
Strayer University District Of Columbia landed the #13 spot in District of Columbia this year. Based in Washington, DC, Strayer University District Of Columbia is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,916. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete a degree here.
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health landed the #14 spot in District of Columbia this year. Based in Washington, DC, Saint Michael College Of Allied Health is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,405 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,782 early in their careers. The median student debt is $20,486.
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc is a private for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Median early-career earnings reach $19,048. The median student debt is $9,936.
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts placed #16 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees average $11,600.
Career Technical Institute did well this year, earning the #17 position. Career Technical Institute is a private for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,242 early in their careers. Career Technical Institute students take on a median of $9,620 in debt.
Bennett Career Institute placed #18 among the best colleges in District of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, Bennett Career Institute is a private for-profit institution. Bennett Career Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $20,316. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete a degree here.
*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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.