Best Colleges in District of Columbia by ROI
Trying to find the best value in District of Columbia? We ranked all 8 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Georgetown University comes out on top at 93/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 8 District of Columbia colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 58/100, on an average net price of $30,303 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Georgetown University at 93/100.
Graduates of Georgetown University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $103,494. The lightest price tag belongs to Trinity Washington University at $9,302 a year. The list below ranks every District of Columbia college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 8 District of Columbia Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$40,815/yrMedian earnings$103,49493ROI
- 2George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$36,586/yrMedian earnings$90,87388ROI
- 3The Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$29,561/yrMedian earnings$73,25077ROI
- 4American UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$41,943/yrMedian earnings$77,37074ROI
- 5Trinity Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$9,302/yrMedian earnings$53,80453ROI
- 6Howard UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$50,539/yrMedian earnings$63,06641ROI
- 7Gallaudet UniversityWashington, DC · Private NonprofitNet price$15,845/yrMedian earnings$43,10127ROI
- 8Strayer University-Global RegionWashington, DC · Private For-ProfitNet price$17,833/yrMedian earnings$40,0929ROI
District of Columbia College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in District of Columbia?
Georgetown University has the highest ROI score in District of Columbia at 93/100, while the lowest net price among District of Columbia schools we track is $9,302/year at Trinity Washington University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in District of Columbia?
The average net price across the 8 District of Columbia colleges in our dataset is $30,303 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which District of Columbia college has the highest graduate earnings?
Georgetown University reports the highest median earnings among District of Columbia schools we scored, at $103,494 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in District of Columbia did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 8 colleges in District of Columbia on return on investment. Of those, 4 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All District of Columbia Schools by ROI Score
8 schools
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
George Washington University
Washington, DC
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
American University
Washington, DC
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC
Howard University
Washington, DC
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC
Strayer University-Global Region
Washington, DC
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release