Best colleges in the Washington, DC area
Colleges within 45 miles of Washington, DC, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Washington, DC area19 schools
19 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 45 miles of the center of Washington, DC (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Maryland
- Net price $18,809 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- 93% graduate
- 3
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in District of Columbia
- Net price $40,815 a year
- 95% graduate
- 4
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · PublicHonor RollTop 5% for graduation
- Net price $15,678 a year
- 89% graduate
- 5
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- Net price $36,586 a year
- 84% graduate
- 6
Washington University of Science and Technology
Alexandria, VA · Private for-profitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 67% graduate
- 7
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Net price $33,199 a year
- 100% graduate
- 8
American University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitTop 9% for earnings
- Net price $41,943 a year
- 75% graduate
- 9
- 10
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitTop 7% for earnings
- Net price $30,574 a year
- 79% graduate
- 11Tie
St. John's College
Annapolis, MD · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $45,597 a year
- 71% graduate
- 11Tie
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD · PublicTop 15% for earnings
- Net price $16,467 a year
- 70% graduate
- 13
Howard University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $50,539 a year
- 70% graduate
- 14
- 15
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitTop 11% for graduation
- Net price $29,561 a year
- 79% graduate
- 16
Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitTop 17% for graduation
- Net price $42,729 a year
- 72% graduate
- 17
- 18
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $22,470 a year
- 57% graduate
- 19
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD · Private nonprofitTop 23% for graduation
- Net price $26,505 a year
- 68% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | $18,809 | $10,250 | $87,555 | 94% |
| United States Naval Academy | — | — | — | 93% |
| Georgetown University | $40,815 | $15,500 | $103,494 | 95% |
| University of Maryland-College Park | $15,678 | $19,000 | $82,860 | 89% |
| George Washington University | $36,586 | $20,449 | $90,873 | 84% |
| Washington University of Science and Technology | — | — | — | 67% |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $33,199 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| American University | $41,943 | $22,750 | $77,370 | 75% |
| Patrick Henry College | — | — | — | 74% |
| Loyola University Maryland | $30,574 | $27,000 | $82,652 | 79% |
| St. John's College | $45,597 | $27,000 | $51,584 | 71% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | $16,467 | $19,500 | $69,960 | 70% |
| Howard University | $50,539 | $24,500 | $63,066 | 70% |
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| The Catholic University of America | $29,561 | $26,000 | $73,250 | 79% |
| Maryland Institute College of Art | $42,729 | $26,500 | $45,212 | 72% |
| Towson University | $17,413 | $18,718 | $64,390 | 69% |
| Goucher College | $22,470 | $26,000 | $53,023 | 57% |
| Stevenson University | $26,505 | $26,000 | $62,079 | 68% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.