Best Research Universities in DC 2024

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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.

Best Research Universities in DC 2024

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  1. Georgetown University
  2. George Washington University
  3. American University
  4. Howard University
  5. The Catholic University of America
  6. Gallaudet University
  1. Georgetown University
  2. George Washington University
  3. Howard University
  4. American University
  5. The Catholic University of America
  6. Gallaudet University
  1. The Catholic University of America 86%
  2. American University 64%
  3. Gallaudet University 62%
  4. George Washington University 50%
  5. Howard University 35%
  6. Georgetown University 12%
  1. George Washington University 13 to 1
  2. Howard University 12 to 1
  3. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  4. American University 11 to 1
  5. The Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  6. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  1. Georgetown University $59,957
  2. George Washington University $59,870
  3. American University $53,334
  4. The Catholic University of America $52,156
  5. Howard University $28,916
  6. Gallaudet University $17,712
  1. Georgetown University $54,672
  2. The Catholic University of America $50,670
  3. American University $37,447
  4. Howard University $33,860
  5. George Washington University $32,850
  6. Gallaudet University $18,180
  1. Gallaudet University
  2. The Catholic University of America
  3. Howard University
  4. American University
  5. George Washington University
  6. Georgetown University
  1. Gallaudet University
  2. The Catholic University of America
  3. American University
  4. Howard University
  5. George Washington University
  6. Georgetown University
  1. Georgetown University 12%
  2. Howard University 35%
  3. George Washington University 50%
  4. Gallaudet University 62%
  5. American University 64%
  6. The Catholic University of America 86%
  1. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  2. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  3. American University 11 to 1
  4. The Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  5. Howard University 12 to 1
  6. George Washington University 13 to 1
  1. Gallaudet University $17,712
  2. Howard University $28,916
  3. The Catholic University of America $52,156
  4. American University $53,334
  5. George Washington University $59,870
  6. Georgetown University $59,957
  1. Gallaudet University $18,180
  2. George Washington University $32,850
  3. Howard University $33,860
  4. American University $37,447
  5. The Catholic University of America $50,670
  6. Georgetown University $54,672

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

DC's Best Research Universities Badge
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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. #1

    Georgetown University

    Washington , DC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1465/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Georgetown University

    Cost of Degree: $62,051
    Expenses: $22,644
    Starting Salary: $125,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1360/31

    Career Outlook for degree at George Washington University

    Cost of Degree: $60,946
    Expenses: $18,745
    Starting Salary: $82,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    American University

    Washington , DC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1305/29

    Career Outlook for degree at American University

    Cost of Degree: $53,889
    Expenses: $17,814
    Starting Salary: $67,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #6

    Gallaudet University

    Washington , DC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    915/16

    Career Outlook for degree at Gallaudet University

    Cost of Degree: $17,712
    Expenses: $22,000
    Starting Salary: $34,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
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Find the Best Research Universities in DC for Your Area of Interest

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.

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

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

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