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# Best Colleges in District of Columbia (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Best Colleges in District of Columbia ranks 7 four-year institutions on Azimuth's overall score for District of Columbia. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for District of Columbia, highest first.

The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [Georgetown University](/school/georgetown-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports median earnings of $119,773 for its graduates four years after completing.

All 7 schools are 7 private nonprofits. Georgetown University ranks 120th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. Trinity Washington University posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $9,302.

## The ranked list

7 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Georgetown University · Washington, DC | $119,773 | $40,815 | $5,064 | 12.9% |
|  | [Georgetown University](/school/georgetown-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports [median earnings of $119,773](/school/georgetown-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $95,967 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
|  | [George Washington University](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) [admits 47% of applicants](/school/george-washington-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 84%. |
| 3 | Gallaudet University · Washington, DC | $55,195 | $15,845 | $14,129 | 58.1% |
|  | With an average net price of $15,845, Gallaudet University ranks 301st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 4 | Trinity Washington University · Washington, DC | $64,019 | $9,302 | $7,928 | 99.5% |
|  | Trinity Washington University has an admission rate of 100% and an average net price of $7,928 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 5 | Howard University · Washington, DC | $72,974 | $50,539 | $46,051 | 41.3% |
|  | Graduates of Howard University earn a median of $72,974 four years after completing, and the school admits 41% of applicants. |
| 6 | American University · Washington, DC | $79,081 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
|  | [American University](/school/american-university/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 75%](/school/american-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $79,081 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | The Catholic University of America · Washington, DC | $79,320 | $29,561 | $17,358 | 82.8% |
|  | The Catholic University of America ranks 1029th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $29,561. |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for District of Columbia, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#composite). The earnings figures cited below are the median earnings of federally aided completers at each institution, across all fields, who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not adjust for cost or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. Georgetown University reports median earnings of $119,773 for its graduates four years after completing, while George Washington University reports $95,967. All 7 schools on the page are 7 private nonprofit institutions.

## Related rankings

-   Best Colleges for Social Mobility in District of Columbia