Best Small Colleges in DC 2024
Small colleges in DC are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.
Best Small Colleges in DC 2024
- Catholic University of America
- Gallaudet University
- University of the District of Columbia
- Trinity Washington University
- Catholic University of America
- Gallaudet University
- University of the District of Columbia
- Trinity Washington University
- Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
- Catholic University of America 11 to 1
- Gallaudet University 6 to 1
- University of the District of Columbia 6 to 1
- Catholic University of America $54,186
- Trinity Washington University $25,610
- Gallaudet University $17,712
- University of the District of Columbia $5,292
- Catholic University of America $52,190
- Gallaudet University $18,180
- Trinity Washington University $15,120
- University of the District of Columbia $9,234
- Trinity Washington University
- University of the District of Columbia
- Gallaudet University
- Catholic University of America
- Trinity Washington University
- University of the District of Columbia
- Gallaudet University
- Catholic University of America
- Gallaudet University 6 to 1
- University of the District of Columbia 6 to 1
- Catholic University of America 11 to 1
- Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
- University of the District of Columbia $5,292
- Gallaudet University $17,712
- Trinity Washington University $25,610
- Catholic University of America $54,186
- University of the District of Columbia $9,234
- Trinity Washington University $15,120
- Gallaudet University $18,180
- Catholic University of America $52,190
What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?
- 6 Research Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 4 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 4 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 2 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
DC’s Best Overall
The following list of the best small colleges and universities in DC is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 8 small colleges in DC. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in DC. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.
Best Small Colleges in DC 2023
- #13 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #15 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2024 #5 Best Research Universities in DC 2024
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: $54,186Expenses: $20,820Starting Salary: $60,500Cost Recoup Time: 18 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 #6 Best Research Universities in DC 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #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: $17,712Expenses: $22,000Starting 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
- #23 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in DC 2025 #7 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025 #7 Best Colleges in DC 2024
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
35%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at University of the District of Columbia
Cost of Degree: $6,152Starting Salary: $39,400What is University of the District of Columbia known for?
University of the District of Columbia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #8 Best Colleges in DC 2024 #18 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Nursing Degrees
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
38%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Trinity Washington University
Cost of Degree: $25,610Expenses: $15,080Starting Salary: $43,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Trinity Washington University known for?
Trinity Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Education
- Sociology
- Economics
- Literature
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- History
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
DC’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
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.
Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Wisconsin and Nebraska.