by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in District of Columbia, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **9** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 9 graduate schools 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 top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Georgetown University tops our 2027 ranking of the best graduate schools in District of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Georgetown University graduates report median early-career earnings of $79,632. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at George Washington University earned it the #2 place in District of Columbia. Set 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 average $67,710. Median early-career earnings reach $73,749. George Washington University students take on a median of $22,910 in debt.
Out of the 9 graduate schools in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, American University landed the #3 spot. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Median early-career earnings reach $54,585. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Wesley Theological Seminary, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Wesley Theological Seminary graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,160.
Out of the 9 graduate schools in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, Catholic University Of America landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,771.
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc placed #6 among the best graduate schools in District of Columbia. 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 $73,272.
Howard University landed the #7 spot in District of Columbia this year. Based in Washington, DC, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,495. Howard University students take on a median of $25,498 in debt.
Gallaudet University placed #8 among the best graduate schools in District of Columbia. Gallaudet University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Gallaudet University graduates 47% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,654. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,489. Gallaudet University students take on a median of $24,123 in debt.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Washington, DC. University Of The District Of Columbia graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $57,060. Graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Graduate schools 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.