Learn about universities in the Washington, DC, area. Compare data pertaining to certain universities, such as their net prices, student populations, proximity to downtown, and graduation rates, based on numbers from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Closest Schools to Washington, District of Columbia
Four non-specialty universities can be found less than two miles from downtown Washington. Two of them had student populations exceeding 10,000 in 2015. If you are seeking an education close to Washington's downtown core, consider these options:
- Strayer University - District of Columbia (located 0.7 miles from downtown)
- Howard University (located 0.9 miles from downtown)
- George Washington University (located 1.7 miles from downtown)
- Catholic University of America (located 2.1 miles from downtown)
- Trinity Washington University (located 2.4 miles from downtown)
Largest Schools Near Washington, District of Columbia
There were three universities in the area with student populations greater than 10,000 in 2021. These three institutions all had more than 7,400 undergraduates. For those looking to study alongside many colleagues near Washington, look into the following universities:
- George Washington University (26,457 students; 11,502 undergraduates)
- Georgetown University (20,935 students; 7,598 undergraduates)
- American University (14,852 students; 8,463 undergraduates)
- Howard University (12,065 students; 8,964 undergraduates)
- Catholic University of America (5,059 students; 2,929 undergraduates)
Lowest Net Prices
For net prices, the NCES takes the total program cost for full-time undergraduates and subtracts their average financial aid. Two universities had net costs lower than $20,000 for 2020-2021. Those two schools are within a three-mile radius of downtown.
- University of the District of Columbia ($12,354)
- Trinity Washington University ($12,815)
- Georgetown University ($23,049)
- Howard University ($26,870)
- Strayer University - District of Columbia (NA)
Highest Graduation Rates
For graduation rates, the NCES counts full-time undergraduates who graduate within 150% of the usual time frame. Two universities had percentages above 80% for students who enrolled in the fall of 2015. These schools are less than five miles from downtown Washington.
- Georgetown University (95% graduation rate)
- George Washington University (84% graduation rate)
- American University (79% graduation rate)
- Catholic University of America (74% graduation rate)
- Howard University (64% graduation rate)
If you are looking to study at a university near Washington, DC, there are multiple options to consider based on large student populations, strong graduation rates, and reasonable prices.
