Best Small Colleges in DC 2024

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

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

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  1. Catholic University of America
  2. Gallaudet University
  3. University of the District of Columbia
  4. Trinity Washington University
  1. Catholic University of America
  2. Gallaudet University
  3. University of the District of Columbia
  4. Trinity Washington University
  1. Trinity Washington University 97%
  2. Catholic University of America 86%
  3. Gallaudet University 59%
  1. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  2. Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  3. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  4. University of the District of Columbia 6 to 1
  1. Catholic University of America $54,186
  2. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  3. Gallaudet University $17,712
  4. University of the District of Columbia $5,292
  1. Catholic University of America $52,190
  2. Gallaudet University $18,180
  3. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  4. University of the District of Columbia $9,234
  1. Trinity Washington University
  2. University of the District of Columbia
  3. Gallaudet University
  4. Catholic University of America
  1. Trinity Washington University
  2. University of the District of Columbia
  3. Gallaudet University
  4. Catholic University of America
  1. Gallaudet University 59%
  2. Catholic University of America 86%
  3. Trinity Washington University 97%
  1. Gallaudet University 6 to 1
  2. University of the District of Columbia 6 to 1
  3. Catholic University of America 11 to 1
  4. Trinity Washington University 12 to 1
  1. University of the District of Columbia $5,292
  2. Gallaudet University $17,712
  3. Trinity Washington University $25,610
  4. Catholic University of America $54,186
  1. University of the District of Columbia $9,234
  2. Trinity Washington University $15,120
  3. Gallaudet University $18,180
  4. Catholic University of America $52,190

What are DC’s Colleges & Universities?

DC’s Best Overall

DC's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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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

  1. #1

    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 #3 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #5 Best Research Universities 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
  2. #2

    Gallaudet University

    Washington , DC
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in DC 2025 #6 Best Research Universities in DC 2025 #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: $19,658
    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
  3. #3

    University of the District of Columbia

    Washington , DC
    #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: $6,152
    Starting Salary: $39,400
    What 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

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Trinity Washington University

    Washington , DC
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in DC 2025 #7 Best Private Colleges in DC 2024 #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 Small College in Your Area of Interest

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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.

  1. The Catholic University of America
  2. Gallaudet University
  3. Trinity Washington University
  4. University of the District of Columbia

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.

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