2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in District Of Columbia
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in District Of Columbia? This list ranks 23 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed 7 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in District Of Columbia
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Trinity Washington University, our #1 best-value Graduate Degrees school in District Of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,610. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $31,194. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,804. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Trinity Washington University
Out of the 7 schools in District Of Columbia in this year's value ranking, George Washington University landed the #2 spot. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $90,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants. Read the full report on George Washington University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgetown University earned it the #3 place in District Of Columbia. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $16,483. Median earnings reach $103,494 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%. See the full Georgetown University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Strayer University District Of Columbia earned it the #4 place in District Of Columbia. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,092 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Strayer University District Of Columbia
Out of the 7 schools in District Of Columbia in this year's value ranking, American University landed the #5 spot. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. American University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. Median earnings reach $77,370 ten years out. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants. Read the full report on American University
Howard University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,498. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,066 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 41% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Howard University profile
Catholic University Of America came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,771. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,250 ten years after entry. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Catholic University Of America has an acceptance rate of 83%. More on Catholic University Of America
Institute Of World Politics came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Institute Of World Politics
Newu University landed the #9 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Newu University report
Bennett Career Institute landed the #10 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Bennett Career Institute report
Strayer University Global Region ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Strayer University Global Region
Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies landed the #12 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. See the full Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies profile
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc landed the #13 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. More on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc
Gallaudet University placed #14 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in District Of Columbia. Read the full report on Gallaudet University
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Saint Michael College Of Allied Health report
Wesley Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Wesley Theological Seminary report
Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. More on Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family
Potomac College Washington landed the #18 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on Potomac College Washington
Career Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full Career Technical Institute profile
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts landed the #20 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in District Of Columbia. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc profile
Windsor University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. More on Windsor University
University Of The District Of Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full University Of The District Of Columbia report
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 7 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).
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