Is a research university right for me?–

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.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

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. 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). 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, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. 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.

Is an online college right for me?–

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 degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction 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. Whehter 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. 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. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. 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 aynchronous, 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. 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. 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.

Best Research Universities in DC 2024

By James Barham

Published: Apr 19, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in DC? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

The Catholic University of America 86%
American University 64%
Gallaudet University 62%
George Washington University 50%
Howard University 35%
Georgetown University 12%

George Washington University 13 to 1
Howard University 12 to 1
Georgetown University 11 to 1
American University 11 to 1
The Catholic University of America 11 to 1
Gallaudet University 6 to 1

Georgetown University $59,957
George Washington University $59,870
American University $53,334
The Catholic University of America $52,156
Howard University $28,916
Gallaudet University $17,712

Georgetown University $54,672
The Catholic University of America $50,670
American University $37,447
Howard University $33,860
George Washington University $32,850
Gallaudet University $18,180

Gallaudet University
The Catholic University of America
American University
Howard University
George Washington University
Georgetown University

Georgetown University 12%
Howard University 35%
George Washington University 50%
Gallaudet University 62%
American University 64%
The Catholic University of America 86%

Gallaudet University 6 to 1
Georgetown University 11 to 1
American University 11 to 1
The Catholic University of America 11 to 1
Howard University 12 to 1
George Washington University 13 to 1

Gallaudet University $17,712
Howard University $28,916
The Catholic University of America $52,156
American University $53,334
George Washington University $59,870
Georgetown University $59,957

Gallaudet University $18,180
George Washington University $32,850
Howard University $33,860
American University $37,447
The Catholic University of America $50,670
Georgetown University $54,672

Table of Contents

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

How do we determine DC's best research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

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 2023

#1
Georgetown University
Washington , DC
#2 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #11 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #12 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2024 #12 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
12%
Graduation
95%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1465/33
Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown University
Cost of Degree: $59,957
Expenses: $21,558
Starting Salary: $125,200
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Georgetown University known for?

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

Law
Nursing
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Religious Studies
Education
Business
Communications
Economics
Medical

Most Influential Alumni

J. Edgar Hoover
Antonin Scalia
Paul Manafort
George Tenet
Abdullah II of Jordan
Allen Tate
Steven Novella
Wang Yi
Jan Karski
Susan Hockfield
Solomon H. Snyder
Jerome Powell
Compare school
#2
George Washington University
Washington , DC
#2 Best Grad Schools in DC 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Colleges in DC 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
84%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1360/31
Career Outlook for degree at George Washington University
Cost of Degree: $57,984
Expenses: $18,465
Starting Salary: $82,400
Cost Recoup Time: 15 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:

Political Science
Law
Criminal Justice
Communications
Business
Physics
Anthropology
Medical
Education
Earth Sciences

Most Influential Alumni

J. Edgar Hoover
L. Ron Hubbard
Glenn Greenwald
Bob Woodward
George Armitage Miller
Allen Dulles
Juan Guaidó
James E. Webb
Roger Stone
Michael D. Griffin
Lester Frank Ward
Julius Axelrod
Compare school
#3
American University
Washington , DC
#7 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #2 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in DC 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
79%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1305/29
Career Outlook for degree at American University
Cost of Degree: $51,334
Expenses: $17,178
Starting Salary: $67,700
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is American University known for?

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

Political Science
Law
Communications
Criminal Justice
Economics
Education
Business
Sociology
Anthropology
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

Bruce Schneier
Oliver North
Alice Paul
Stephen A. Kent
Queen Rania of Jordan
Juan E. Méndez
Corey Lewandowski
Robert Kagan
Kathy Reichs
James Alan Fox
Cornelius M. Kerwin
Clark Howard
Compare school
#4
Howard University
Washington , DC
#1 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2000-2020 #4 Best Grad Schools in DC 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
64%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/24
Career Outlook for degree at Howard University
Cost of Degree: $28,916
Expenses: $19,298
Starting Salary: $54,500
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Howard University known for?

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

Social Work
Education
Political Science
Law
History
Literature
Communications
Sociology
Criminal Justice
Medical

Most Influential Alumni

Thomas Sowell
Toni Morrison
Stokely Carmichael
Amiri Baraka
Lucretia Mott
Zora Neale Hurston
Ta-Nehisi Coates
James Farmer
Marjorie Lee Browne
Sonia Sanchez
E. Franklin Frazier
Kamala Harris
Compare school
#5
The Catholic University of America
Washington , DC
#12 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #13 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$52K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
74%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at The Catholic University of America
Cost of Degree: $52,156
Expenses: $20,170
Starting Salary: $60,500
Cost Recoup Time: 18 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:

Religious Studies
Nursing
Philosophy
Law
Physics
Social Work
Political Science
Communications
Psychology
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Michael D. Griffin
Mary Daly
Maureen Dowd
Brian Williams
Thomas L. Saaty
Raymond E. Brown
Theodore Hesburgh
Verlyn Flieger
Raymond Leo Burke
Thomas Berry
Seán Patrick O'Malley
Hugh Everett III
Compare school
#6
Gallaudet University
Washington , DC
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in DC 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in DC 2024 #6 Best Grad Schools in DC 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Colleges in DC 2024
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
58%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
915/16
Career Outlook for degree at Gallaudet University
Cost of Degree: $17,712
Expenses: $21,826
Starting Salary: $34,300
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What 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

Robert R. Davila
Frank Bowe
Robert Panara
Dorothy Casterline
Caroline M. Solomon
Elizabeth English Benson
Meredith Peruzzi
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

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. 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).
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, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. 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.

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 degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction 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. Whehter 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. 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.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. 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 aynchronous, 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.
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. 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.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Research Universities in DC 2024

Best Research Universities in DC 2024

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

Best Research Universities in DC 2023

Georgetown University

Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown University

Most Influential Alumni

George Washington University

Career Outlook for degree at George Washington University

Most Influential Alumni

American University

Career Outlook for degree at American University

Most Influential Alumni

Howard University

Career Outlook for degree at Howard University

Most Influential Alumni

The Catholic University of America

Career Outlook for degree at The Catholic University of America

Most Influential Alumni

Gallaudet University

Career Outlook for degree at Gallaudet University

Most Influential Alumni

Find the Best Research Universities in DC for Your Area of Interest