2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in District Of Columbia
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in District Of Columbia? This list ranks 23 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 17 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in District Of Columbia
Explore the leading schools below:
Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in District Of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,483. See the full Georgetown University profile
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at George Washington University earned it the #2 place in District Of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read the full report on George Washington University
You'll be in good company at American University, which ranked #3 this year. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. American University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. Read the full report on American University
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Catholic University Of America earned it the #4 place in District Of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,771. More on Catholic University Of America
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Trinity Washington University earned it the #5 place in District Of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,610. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $31,194. Read more about Trinity Washington University
Howard University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,498. See the full Howard University profile
Strayer University District Of Columbia landed the #7 spot in District Of Columbia this year. Set in Washington, DC, Strayer University District Of Columbia is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Strayer University District Of Columbia
Institute Of World Politics placed #8 among Graduate Degrees schools in District Of Columbia. Read more about Institute Of World Politics
Potomac College Washington did well this year, earning the #9 position. Read the full report on Potomac College Washington
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health did well this year, earning the #10 position. Get the full Saint Michael College Of Allied Health report
Gallaudet University placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in District Of Columbia. Read the full report on Gallaudet University
Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies placed #12 among Graduate Degrees schools in District Of Columbia. See the full Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies profile
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc profile
Career Technical Institute landed the #14 spot in District Of Columbia this year. See the full Career Technical Institute profile
Wesley Theological Seminary ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Wesley Theological Seminary report
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts landed the #16 spot in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
Windsor University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Windsor University
Strayer University Global Region did well this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about Strayer University Global Region
Bennett Career Institute ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Bennett Career Institute report
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc landed the #20 spot in District Of Columbia this year. More on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc
Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family did well this year, earning the #21 position. More on Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family
Newu University
Newu University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Newu University report
University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #23 spot in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full University Of The District Of Columbia report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).