by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 17 colleges that stand out for serving veterans in District of Columbia, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To help you decide, College Factual reviewed 17 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every veteran weighs these factors the same way. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
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.
Explore the leading colleges for veterans below:
No school served veteran and military students better than American University this year in District of Columbia. It scores 79.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 48.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Out of the 17 colleges in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, George Washington University landed the #2 spot. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 79.2 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 41.7, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
The Catholic University of America came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in District of Columbia. The Catholic University of America scores 74.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 48.6, and veteran resources 66.7.
Veteran and military students will find strong support at Georgetown University, which ranked #4 this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 74.2 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 41.7, and veteran resources 66.7.
Out of the 17 colleges in District of Columbia in this year's ranking, Strayer University-District of Columbia landed the #5 spot. Strayer University-District of Columbia scores 67.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
University of the District of Columbia earned the #6 position in District of Columbia. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 67.3 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
The Chicago School at Washington DC placed #7 among the best colleges for veterans in District of Columbia. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 66.6 out of 100.
Institute of World Politics placed #8 among the best colleges for veterans in District of Columbia. It scores 63.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students.
Howard University landed the #9 spot in District of Columbia this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 62.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 81.3, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus placed #10 among the best colleges for veterans in District of Columbia. It scores 61.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Trinity Washington University placed #11 among the best colleges for veterans in District of Columbia. Trinity Washington University scores 54.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 0.0.
National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts came in at #12 in this year's ranking. It scores 44.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-resources score.
Wesley Theological Seminary earned the #13 position in District of Columbia. Wesley Theological Seminary scores 42.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall.
Bennett Career Institute earned the #14 position in District of Columbia. The school's overall veterans score is 40.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Gallaudet University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 38.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 0.0.
Career Technical Institute came in at #16 in this year's ranking. It scores 32.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family placed #17 among the best colleges for veterans in District of Columbia. It scores 31.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
