Best colleges District of Columbia

2023 best colleges in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has a number of excellent private colleges and universities, an exceptional nightlife, and tons of employment opportunities. While the University of the District of Columbia is the only public university in D.C., the D.C. Tuition Assistance Program (DCTAG) helps to defray the cost of public universities outside of D.C. This provides D.C. residents a unique opportunity in receiving reduced tuitions at public universities across the states, though the cost will usually remain somewhat higher than enjoyed by in-state residents. 

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#1 in District of Columbia | #101 in Communications nationally

The Catholic University of America

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score: 3.56

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $34,684

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $55,883

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $13,591

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 86%
Graduation rate: 73%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in District of Columbia | #154 in Communications nationally

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score: 4.15

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $40,088

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $55,108

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $12,892

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 64%
Graduation rate: 80%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in District of Columbia | #205 in Communications nationally

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score: 4.84

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $32,563

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $48,997

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $6,802

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 50%
Graduation rate: 84%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in District of Columbia | #450 in Communications nationally

Gallaudet University

Washington, District of Columbia

Economic score: 15.43

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $16,833

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 11.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $31,598

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $10,460

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 62%
Graduation rate: 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

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Trinity Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

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How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in comms & media studies in District of Columbia?

Years

5.5 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in comms & media studies in District of Columbia is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 5.5 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in comms & media studies earn in District of Columbia?

Salary

$50,248

The median bachelor's degree in comms & media studies graduate earns $50,248 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in comms & media studies cost in District of Columbia?

Net cost

$29,779

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in comms & media studies is $29,779. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.