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Best value colleges in District of Columbia

Colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price, graduation rate, earnings, and debt from federal data.

Best value colleges in District of Columbia5 schools

5 schools qualify, ranked by Value.

How this list is made

Schools in District of Columbia.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by Value, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Top 11% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $29,561 a year
2
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
#1 in District of Columbia
- Value grade B-
- Net price $40,815 a year
3
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 4% for earnings
- Value grade B-
- Net price $36,586 a year
4
American University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Top 9% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- Net price $41,943 a year
5
Howard University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- Value grade C+
- Net price $50,539 a year

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
The Catholic University of America	About $30,000	$26,000	$73,250	79%
Georgetown University	About $41,000	$15,500	$103,494	95%
George Washington University	About $37,000	$20,449	$90,873	84%
American University	About $42,000	$22,750	$77,370	75%
Howard University	About $51,000	$24,500	$63,066	70%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

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