Top Washington D.C. Colleges and Universities

About this article
Washington, D.C. is located along the Atlantic Seaboard and is home to the nation's capital. There are several prestigious institutions that call Washington, D.C. home, and students often take advantage of the opportunity to study foreign affairs and government in this area of global prominence.
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Top Five Schools in Washington, D.C.

Georgetown University

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University was the first Roman Catholic University established in the United States. Its location in Washington, D.C. makes it the ideal setting for students who choose to study in its renowned departments of international relations and law. There are 6,853 undergraduate students enrolled at Georgetown, and they receive a world-class education from the university, which is currently ranked #24 in US News and World Report. The men's basketball team, nicknamed the Hoyas, is excellent, with more tournament wins than any other Big East program.

George Washington University

The George Washington University was established in 1821 as a private university, due greatly to the vision President George Washington had that there should be a world-class institution for higher learning in the capital. There are currently 18,813 undergraduate students at GWU, many of whom are enrolled in the university's excellent business and international affairs programs. The campus of GWU is located a mere four blocks from the White House, making it an ideal setting for students to make use of internship and research opportunities. George Washington University is ranked #54 in US News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges.

American University

American University was founded in 1893 as a Methodist university and has since grown to enjoy the position of 85th on the list of America's Best Colleges in US News and World Report. The institution has an undergraduate enrollment of 5,962 students and boasts a student-faculty ratio of 14:1. American has a reputation for excellence in international affairs and foreign policy studies; and its students often receive the accolade of being among the nation's most politically active. Its School of Communication graduates the third largest number of students in the nation.

Howard University

A congressional order founded Howard University in 1867, and the university continues to be a prestigious historically black college funded partially by the federal government. However, from its inception this Washington, D.C. institution has been a coeducational, multicultural campus. Howard is the number one producer of black Ph.D.s in the country. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 7,309 students and also has an excellent law school that has been the site of several important legal preparations for civil rights cases. Howard is now ranked #96 in US News and World Report.

Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America is often called 'Little Rome' or the 'Vatican of the West'. The main campus is found in the northwestern portion of the capital and has 3,123 undergraduate students. It was originally founded in 1887 as the American-based university of the Roman Catholic Church, the only institution of its type established by U.S. Roman Catholic bishops. Unusually diverse for a small, private college, Catholic University offers its students 83 academic programs and is now ranked #122 in US News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
      • Bachelor: Accounting
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
      • BBA Human Resources Management
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • BS Human & Social Services
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Criminal Justice
      • AS - Accounting
      • AS - Human Resources Specialist
      • AS - IT Networking
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Svcs. - Diploma
      • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
  • Campus and Online Programs
    4. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science - Film Production
      • MS - Entertainment Business (Campus)
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Entertainment Business Masters - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • Communications Bachelors with Creative Writing Concentration - Campus
      • Film Production Masters - Campus
      • Communications Bachelors with Media Communications Concentration - Campus
      • Visual Arts Bachelors with Game Art Concentration - Campus
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Criminal Justice
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
      • CTG: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • CTG: Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
      • Masters in Social Work
  • Campus and Online Programs
    7. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Dual Degree: MA Counseling Psychology and MS Applied Behavior Analysis
      • M.A. Counseling Psychology
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
    Certificate
      • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Certificate in Organizational Leadership
  • Online Programs Available
    8. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    9. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician
      • Career Diploma - Payroll Clerk
      • Career Diploma - Diesel Mechanics/Heavy Truck Maintenance
      • Career Diploma - Home Remodeling and Repair
      • Career Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding
  • Campus Locations:
    10. Universal Technical Institute

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Aviation Maintenance AAS
    Certificate
      • Collision Repair and Refinish Technology
      • Motorcycle Technician Specialist
      • Automotive Technology
      • Wind Power Technician
      • Marine Technician Specialist
      • Diesel Technology

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

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Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis

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Full Sail University

  • Master of Science - Film Production
  • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

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Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

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Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Masters in Social Work

What is your highest level of education completed?

The Chicago School

  • Dual Degree: MA Counseling Psychology and MS Applied Behavior Analysis
  • M.A. Counseling Psychology
  • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?