2024 Best Colleges in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,274 reviews

Freshman: Amazing campus, beautiful area surrounding campus with lots of connections to history! GU boasts a strong reputation for academic rigor and excellence across various disciplines, including law, business, international relations, and public policy. Situated in Washington, D.C., Georgetown benefits from its proximity to numerous government agencies, international organizations, and cultural institutions, offering unparalleled opportunities for internships, research, and networking. I love the diverse and inclusive community, attracting students and faculty worldwide. Diversity enriches the cross-cultural understanding. Georgetown has a vast and influential alumni network, providing students with valuable connections and opportunities for mentorship and career advancement. Rooted in its Jesuit tradition, Georgetown emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and service to others, instilling in students a sense of responsibility and commitment to making a positive impact on society.... Read 1,274 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 12%

• Net price $23,049

• SAT range 1410-1550

• College Park, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  5,592 reviews

Senior: I have had an amazing time attending UMD! I have been involved in so many fun organizations that have allowed me to learn and grow. I gained leadership, presentation, research, organization, and communication skills that I will take with me in the future! I made so many amazing friends and met amazing professors. UMD is the perfect place for people to grow in their education and community skills!... Read 5,592 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $17,146

• SAT range 1330-1510

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  2,236 reviews

Alum: I thoroughly enjoyed my overall experience at GWU! Although guidance pertaining to my studies/next steps following my education was sometimes difficult to seek (I graduated with a BA in Psychological & Brain Sciences), professors were receptive to sharing their knowledge on this matter and offered their perspective whenever applicable. It merely seems that a student needs to advocate for themself and actively search for the answers they're looking for -- it won't be offered on a platter. I found this to be the case with GWU's academic advising. Nonetheless, the academics were spectacular. I received a very well-rounded education and was surrounded by a great community. The staff, professors, and students all left a positive impression. Plus, I established meaningful friendships and connections that I know will last forever. GWU's campuses are beautiful and safe, and the main campus is conveniently located near a metro stop, allowing students to easily explore D.C.... Read 2,236 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 50%

• Net price $31,240

• SAT range 1310-1490

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  2,558 reviews

Freshman: This is a fantastic college with dedicated professors and students. Located in one of the nicest neighborhoods in DC, it provides a nice atmosphere of the suburban lifestyle while having easy access to the vibrant city of DC. With all of the opportunities that DC offers, most students are able to get an internship, providing them with valuable connections and experience. While the dining hall food is 4/5, there are lots of other options on campus as well as in the surrounding areas. American has great dorms that are all being updated and are in locations that make the rest of campus very accessible. Overall, the students are a very diverse, driven group. The clubs and programs that American has are incomparable to other schools and allow students to fully take advantage of their time at school.... Read 2,558 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $28,622

• SAT range 1280-1440

• Fairfax, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  5,030 reviews

Freshman: George Mason is a very good college when it comes to academics. The professors are very good at teaching and are nice to their students. GMU is an amazing school for research. Additionally, the mix is an engineer's paradise with many tools and machines to use for free. The student life could have improved, but during weekdays you can find some events around the campus. Mason's student success coaching service is awesome. They are very caring and are always there when you need help with getting good grades in your classes. Athletics are decent as well. However, there is no football field. There is a football team, but it is not like your other major football universities. GMU's diversity is the best I have seen at any college. Many cultures at GMU can be observed and celebrated!... Read 5,030 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $18,841

• SAT range 1140-1350

• Arlington, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  885 reviews

Other: I attended this weekend's admitted student day and thoroughly enjoyed our first campus visit. As a parent, it was fantastic to engage with various departments at the resource fair, and I particularly appreciated learning about the diverse range of student clubs and upcoming campus events, including the Black History Month programs happening this month. While the food was acceptable, there's room for improvement, especially considering the long lines. Surprisingly, the residence halls exceeded my expectations. I was able to attend the student life social which was great, unfortunately, we had to leave early. so I had to miss the mass. It might be beneficial to schedule mass in the morning.... Read 885 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $26,717

• SAT range 970-1170

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  990 reviews

Graduate Student: Love CUA! Glad I decided to attend this school. It has an excellent location and academics. Of course, you must be careful and safe, but overall an excellent school.... Read 990 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $35,520

• SAT range 1020-1230

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  4,064 reviews

Freshman: Howard has always been my dream school and I am proud to say that it did not dissapoint. It is an esteemed HBCU with an engaged and supportive student body, alumni network, and staff. A unique aspect of the school is the level of participation and engagement from the student body; everyone is running for an elecrted position or president of this or that organization. Everyone is fighting to have the most well rounded and memorable resume, however unlike many PWI of similar caliber, there is not a competitive culture. Everyone wants to see everyone win. Something that surprised me about attending this school is the diversity. There are many multifaceted, geographically diverse students here. I will say the biggest challenge this school faces is saftey and security. Especially being in a city like dc, the homeless population is very large as well as substance abuse and crime. Howard does well but in my opinion we should be a closed campus. All in all, I am proud to be a bison!... Read 4,064 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 35%

• Net price $26,870

• SAT range 1080-1290

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  465 reviews

Senior: I absolutely cherish my time at Gallaudet! I greatly miss it when I am not there! This is a culturally rich opportunity for all people. I value the knowledge I gained from my peers, professors, co-workers and overall experiences. This campus is aesthetically pleasing as well community development (bonding). They work hard to keep their research and development alive. This place has my heart and soul for sure! Proud to be an alumni 2024!... Read 465 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $25,465

• SAT range 760-1080

• Takoma Park, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  305 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, it's an amazing school that offers some variety of majors and minors. there is an undergraduate program but not a lot of variety in the graduate program. The current SA officers are doing well in making events for students to attend. Washington Adventist University is located in a nice central area near the capitol, Washington D.C. It's about 30 min via metro to the National mall and there a lot of free things available for you there. Another thing to take notice of is that it is a very diverse university. At the end of the day it's a great school, with great professors and people and since it's located closer to a city, there are many opportunities for future jobs there.... Read 305 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $13,414

• SAT range 820-1030

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  511 reviews

Junior: Trinity Washington University is a private university located in Washington, D.C., United States. It was founded in 1897 as Trinity College and later became Trinity Washington University. The university primarily focuses on providing education to women, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields. Trinity Washington University is known for its commitment to social justice and community service. The university has a diverse student population and offers programs in areas such as business, education, nursing, and liberal arts.... Read 511 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $12,815

• SAT range —

• Adelphi, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  2,210 reviews

Alum: I attended UMGC before it changed from University of Maryland University College (UMUC). I need to attend part-time in order to complete my degree. This was primarily because the evening course work was available compared to a traditional university course schedule. I was able to attend year round and because they offered multiple sessions in the summer and at least winter session. I was able to take up to 15 credits in a year. The online class schedule, makes attending classes helpful as full-time work schedule didn't always allow for getting to class on-time. Having young children, and taking classes can be a challenge and your grades can suffer if you can't prioritize your schedule in the evenings to study and focus for 3 hours a few days a week. I would like to see them get a few more locations for students who work in DC or VA. Then students can go to those locations for in-person instead of only attending in Maryland or specifically at the Adelphi campus.... Read 2,210 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $16,228

• SAT range —

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  637 reviews

Junior: • college academics are often more rigorous than high school. Students may face challenges in adapting to new learning environments, increased workload, and higher expectations. Time management and effective study skills become crucial. Diverse Campus Life: • College campuses are usually diverse, with students from various backgrounds, cultures, and countries. This diversity can lead to rich experiences, exposure to different perspectives, and opportunities for personal growth. Independence and Responsibility: • College provides a level of independence not experienced in high school. Students are responsible for managing their schedules, making academic and personal decisions, and navigating daily life without constant oversight. Extracurricular Activities: • Colleges offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and organizations. Engaging in these activities can enhance the overall... Read 637 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,354

• SAT range —

• Bowie, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  1,343 reviews

Sophomore: I joined the Sensations Colorguard and Symphony of Soul my freshman year ands it was a wonderful decision as I came in with a community around me. While I did not have the opportunity to perform with them my Sophmore year I was able to join the Kush modeling team which wile brief was fun and a different way to experience campus. While is it a small campus I feel it is a good size for me and the CMRC and ELLC dorms are quite nice, although it can be stressful attempting to get housing each year as rooms are limited. The food is decent but we could use more options such as a chick-fil-a. Administration can be hard to reach virtually so your best bet is to go in person. They’re quick to issue out parking tickets so be sure to get a parking pass. Events are far and few in between so if you’re looking for a party school apply elsewhere. Classes aren’t difficult to get and most professors are good just check rate my professor.... Read 1,343 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $14,290

• SAT range 840-1020

• Arlington, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  400 reviews

Alum: I loved the experience. I obtained my Bachelors and master degree from Strayer University. I thank them for helping me obtain my education and degrees. They have a wonderful campus in Chesapeake Virginia. The staff was wonderful there.... Read 400 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $20,047

• SAT range —

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  219 reviews

Senior: My experience at Strayer University has been rewarding and amazing since my first day! All of my professors have been extremely helpful and fully engaged with myself and my peers. I thought that I would be so scared going back to school, but my personal experience has been wonderful.... Read 219 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $22,776

• SAT range —

• Vienna, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  62 reviews

Junior: the school could offer money, scholarships, or anything financial wise for students to prevent them from withdrawing unlike students like me.... Read 62 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $25,386

• SAT range —

• Suitland, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  261 reviews

Senior: Strayer University provide some the best course professors who cares about your progress. They also provides you with helpful contact information if needed for support and guidance through each and every course. The Strayer University Cares.... Read 261 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $21,401

• SAT range —

• Laurel, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  169 reviews

Junior: I have learned a lot at Capitol Technology University. The courses are truly unbeatable, and I have loved all classes I have taken. There has been an incredible amount of support to me by the administration and staff over the last 2 years as well. I highly recommend this university!... Read 169 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 47%

• Net price $24,946

• SAT range 1020-1230

• Washington, DC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  27 reviews

Graduate Student: The campus experience and method of delivering lectures by the professors is great. My stay thus far has been throughly enjoyable.... Read 27 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $17,867

• SAT range —

• Arlington, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  35 reviews

Sophomore: What I enjoy the most is the flexibilty the university offers. The school students a self pace program that allows students to fit classes to their busy schedule. The staff and techs are very military friendly and support the service members. I attend college on line and would not change anything, all my experiences have been great.... Read 35 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $11,075

• SAT range —

• Falls Church, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: University of the Potomac, be it Washington D.C, Virginia, Chicago Campus is the best University any International Student could ask of though their tuition fees for International student is a cutthroat. The student admission officer is hospitable and patient, DSOs, Professors/Lecturers have endurance and teaches with layman understanding, classmates are friendly and student life is minimal... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $21,564

• SAT range —

• Vienna, VA•

• 4 Year

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $22,709

• SAT range —

• North Bethesda, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Junior: It is definitely good for individual who are looking to start their career in cybersecurity as they are industry recognized.Which gives hands on training where students like me can have practical approach. Educational content is pretty high class material.... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate —

• Net price —

• SAT range —

• Arlington, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  127 reviews

Freshman: DeVry University offers great flexibility. I experienced absolutely no stress while I do my assignments and submit them. Resources like the library, tutoring services and the professors themselves are of great help. The discussions are very informative and help you understand various points of views of different people.... Read 127 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 25%

• Net price $17,203

• SAT range —