by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in District of Columbia, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **13** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 13 graduate schools 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.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Our analysis found Georgetown University to be the best graduate school in District of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Early-career graduates earn a median of $79,632. Typical student debt is $16,483.
You'll be in good company at George Washington University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. The median student debt is $22,910.
Out of the 13 graduate schools in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, American University landed the #3 spot. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $54,585. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete a degree here.
Wesley Theological Seminary came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in District of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Wesley Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,160 early in their careers.
You'll be in good company at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #5 this year. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,120. Typical student debt is $25,771.
Howard University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Howard University graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,495. Graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans.
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Washington, DC, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc is a private not-for-profit institution. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc graduates report median early-career earnings of $73,272.
Trinity Washington University placed #8 among the best graduate schools in District of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Median early-career earnings reach $56,796. Trinity Washington University students take on a median of $31,194 in debt.
Gallaudet University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Washington, DC, Gallaudet University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gallaudet University graduates 47% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,654 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,489 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,123 in student loans.
Strayer University Global Region landed the #10 spot in District of Columbia this year. Strayer University Global Region is a private for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Strayer University Global Region posts a six-year graduation rate of 8%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,920. Strayer University Global Region graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,916. Strayer University Global Region students take on a median of $45,932 in debt.
Potomac College Washington placed #11 among the best graduate schools in District of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Potomac College Washington is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,660.
University Of The District Of Columbia did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Washington, DC, University Of The District Of Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,060. The median student debt is $32,304.
Strayer University District Of Columbia landed the #13 spot in District of Columbia this year. This private for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,920. Median early-career earnings reach $59,916. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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.