Best Private Colleges in DC 2024

Badge for BEST IN DC PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in DC.

Best Private Colleges in DC

Sort by:
  1. Georgetown University
  2. George Washington University
  3. American University
  4. Howard University
  5. Catholic University of America
  6. Gallaudet University
  7. Trinity Washington University
  1. Georgetown University
  2. George Washington University
  3. Howard University
  4. American University
  5. Catholic University of America
  6. Gallaudet University
  7. Trinity Washington University
  1. Trinity Washington University 97%
  2. Catholic University of America 86%
  3. Gallaudet University 59%
  4. Howard University 53%
  5. George Washington University 49%
  6. American University 41%
  7. Georgetown University 12%
  1. Howard University 14 to 1
  2. George Washington University 12 to 1
  3. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  4. American University 11 to 1
  5. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  6. Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  7. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  1. George Washington University $62,200
  2. Georgetown University $62,052
  3. Catholic University of America $54,186
  4. American University $53,889
  5. Howard University $31,050
  6. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  7. Gallaudet University $17,712
  1. Georgetown University $56,592
  2. Catholic University of America $52,190
  3. American University $38,139
  4. Howard University $35,556
  5. George Washington University $33,930
  6. Gallaudet University $18,180
  7. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  1. Trinity Washington University
  2. Gallaudet University
  3. Catholic University of America
  4. Howard University
  5. American University
  6. George Washington University
  7. Georgetown University
  1. Trinity Washington University
  2. Gallaudet University
  3. Catholic University of America
  4. American University
  5. Howard University
  6. George Washington University
  7. Georgetown University
  1. Georgetown University 12%
  2. American University 41%
  3. George Washington University 49%
  4. Howard University 53%
  5. Gallaudet University 59%
  6. Catholic University of America 86%
  7. Trinity Washington University 97%
  1. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  2. American University 11 to 1
  3. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  4. Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  5. George Washington University 12 to 1
  6. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  7. Howard University 14 to 1
  1. Gallaudet University $17,712
  2. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  3. Howard University $31,050
  4. American University $53,889
  5. Catholic University of America $54,186
  6. Georgetown University $62,052
  7. George Washington University $62,200
  1. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  2. Gallaudet University $18,180
  3. George Washington University $33,930
  4. Howard University $35,556
  5. American University $38,139
  6. Catholic University of America $52,190
  7. Georgetown University $56,592

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 7 private universities in DC. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in DC, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Best Private Colleges in DC

  1. #1

    Georgetown University

    Washington , DC
    #2 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #17 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #18 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #18 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown University

    Cost of Degree: $65,081
    Expenses: $23,660
    Starting Salary: $125,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Georgetown University known for?

    Georgetown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    George Washington University

    Washington , DC
    #23 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1410/32

    Career Outlook for degree at George Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $64,798
    Expenses: $19,325
    Starting Salary: $82,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is George Washington University known for?

    George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    American University

    Washington , DC
    #7 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Research Universities in DC 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1360/30

    Career Outlook for degree at American University

    Cost of Degree: $56,543
    Expenses: $19,632
    Starting Salary: $67,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is American University known for?

    American University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Howard University

    Washington , DC
    #1 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #3 Best Colleges in DC 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1170/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Howard University

    Cost of Degree: $33,344
    Expenses: $21,286
    Starting Salary: $54,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Howard University known for?

    Howard University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  5. #5

    The Catholic University of America

    Washington , DC
    #13 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #15 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at The Catholic University of America

    Cost of Degree: $55,834
    Expenses: $21,950
    Starting Salary: $60,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is The Catholic University of America known for?

    The Catholic University of America’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Gallaudet University

    Washington , DC
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in DC 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #6 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    920/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Gallaudet University

    Cost of Degree: $19,658
    Expenses: $22,092
    Starting Salary: $34,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Gallaudet University known for?

    Gallaudet University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Trinity Washington University

    Washington , DC
    #4 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #4 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #8 Best Colleges in DC 2024 #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Trinity Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $26,110
    Expenses: $15,190
    Starting Salary: $43,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Trinity Washington University known for?

    Trinity Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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DC’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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2021 Ranking Archieve

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Georgetown University
  2. George Washington University
  3. The Catholic University of America
  4. Howard University
  5. American University
  6. Gallaudet University
  7. Trinity Washington University

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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