Best Colleges in Washington, D.C.

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Best colleges in Washington, D.C.

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on. While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Washington, D.C. using rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are factors considered in deciding these rankings. Location is also often a key factor in a school's appeal, whether it be a beachside location, one full of New England foliage, or proximity to tech hubs and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Online and unspecified location schools were excluded from the rankings. Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

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#10. University of the Potomac - Washington, DC

- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Net price: $23,421
- Enrollment: 68 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: not available

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#9. Strayer University - Online

- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Net price: $21,585
- Enrollment: 339 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: A-
--- Campus grade: A
--- Diversity grade: B+
--- Party grade: B+

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#8. University of the District of Columbia

- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Net price: $16,125
- Enrollment: 1,614 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: C+
--- Diversity grade: A-
--- Party grade: B
--- Academics grade: B-

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#7. Trinity Washington University

- Acceptance rate: 96%
- Net price: $15,295
- Enrollment: 874 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: B-
--- Safety grade: A+
--- Location grade: A
--- Value grade: B+

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#6. Gallaudet University

- Acceptance rate: 63%
- Net price: $18,410
- Enrollment: 905 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: B
--- Diversity grade: A+
--- Party grade: A-
--- Location grade: A-

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#5. Howard University

- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Net price: $23,233
- Enrollment: 7,497 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: B+
--- Party grade: A+
--- Location grade: A+
--- Diversity grade: A

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#4. The Catholic University of America

- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Net price: $36,228
- Enrollment: 2,934 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: B+
--- Value grade: A-
--- Diversity grade: A-
--- Professors grade: A-

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#3. American University

- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Net price: $37,319
- Enrollment: 7,453 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: A-
--- Academics grade: A
--- Diversity grade: A
--- Location grade: A

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#2. George Washington University

- Acceptance rate: 43%
- Net price: $40,308
- Enrollment: 10,141 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Diversity grade: A+
--- Location grade: A+
--- Academics grade: A

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#1. Georgetown University

- Acceptance rate: 17%
- Net price: $30,710
- Enrollment: 6,610 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Academics grade: A+
--- Value grade: A+
--- Diversity grade: A+