Best Research Universities in DC 2025
Key Takeaways
- We’ve identified six of the best research universities in DC that invest heavily in research and provide extensive opportunities for students to participate in research.
- Attending a research university in DC is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees.
- Many of the research universities in this ranking are well known across the country and have well established alumni networks.
Best Research Universities in DC 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
Howard University is the only school that moved in our 2025 ranking of the best research universities in DC. Howard gained 1 spot to move up to number 3 this year.
The School of Health at Georgetown University has launched the “Global Mental Health & Well-being Initiative,” aiming to establish a Center for Global Mental Health and Well-being by 2024-2025, fostering interdisciplinary research and public engagement in mental health. Additionally, the Tech & Public Policy program at the McCourt School of Public Policy has allocated $1.5 million in grants for interdisciplinary research projects.
Howard became the first HBCU to lead a University Affiliated Research Center, securing a $90 million contract with the Department of Defense to conduct research on autonomous systems and artificial intelligence.
The university also launched the Amgen Scholars Program, a nine-week summer research initiative in biotechnology and biomedical sciences, providing undergraduates with hands-on research experience under faculty mentorship.
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 6 research universities in DC. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Best Research Universities in DC 2025
- #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
Other Rankings
- #21 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
- #25 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
- #25 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
- #1 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025
- #1 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025
- #1 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in DC 2024
- #11 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
- #17 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
- #20 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #20 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #21 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
- #21 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #22 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
- #1 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
- #12 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students 2025
- #20 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #23 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 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: $65,081Expenses: $23,660Starting Salary: $125,200Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Georgetown University known for?
Georgetown University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Law
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Education
- Business
- Communications
- Economics
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #23 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Colleges in DC 2024
- #3 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees 2025
- #8 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
- #19 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in DC
- #1 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
- #2 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
- #2 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
- #3 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
- #3 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2025
- #6 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
- #10 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #5 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
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: $64,798Expenses: $19,325Starting Salary: $82,400Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is George Washington University known for?
George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Law
- Communications
- Business
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Medical
- Education
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #3 Best Colleges in DC 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
Other Rankings
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: $33,344Expenses: $21,286Starting Salary: $54,500Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Howard University known for?
Howard University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Education
- Political Science
- Law
- History
- Literature
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #3 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025
- #4 Best Colleges in DC 2024
- #13 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees 2025
- #24 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees 2025
- #25 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
- #3 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in DC
- #8 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2025
- #12 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
- #14 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025
- #4 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
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: $56,543Expenses: $19,632Starting Salary: $67,700Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is American University known for?
American University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Law
- Economics
- Education
- Business
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Communications
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #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
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
76%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at The Catholic University of America
Cost of Degree: $55,834Expenses: $21,950Starting Salary: $60,500Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is The Catholic University of America known for?
The Catholic University of America’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Law
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Physics
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in DC 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #6 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #6 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
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: $19,658Expenses: $22,092Starting Salary: $34,300Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Gallaudet University known for?
Gallaudet University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Communications
- Education
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
- Literature
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Find the Best Research Universities in DC for Your Area of Interest
Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges
In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.
Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.
Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.
Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.
- Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
- Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.
Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.
Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.
- Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.
- Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.
Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.
Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.
If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in mathematics.
Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.
Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.
Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.
- Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.
- Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.
- The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.
Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.
If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.
Back to TopCheck out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.