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The District of Columbia is home to a variety of top-tier private colleges and universities. Top ranked private colleges in the District of Columbia include Howard University, Catholic University of America, George Washington University, American University, Georgetown University, and Trinity Washington University. Given DCs relatively small landmass (61 square miles) and modest population (approximately 700,000), it has a number of top-tier private schools within its borders. Private colleges found within DC are as diverse as the population itself. Students that desire to learn specific information about private schools in DC can easily select schools from the list below or utilize our matchingtoolsto learn more. Private colleges are schools that do not accept state funds yet rely on tuition and donations to operate. A private college will typically have smaller class sizes, lower student to teacher ratios, and greater access to professors than their public university counterparts. In addition, private schools will typically offer far greater financial aid packages than public schools making schools that seem out of reach a more feasible option to consider. Additional information for private universities located in DC can be located by selecting from the list of schools below or utilizing advancedsearch technologycreated by our team at MatchCollege.

2024 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

GU is a nonprofit private university that has a large selection of degrees available for students to choose from. The school is located in Washington, District Of Columbia, in a predominantly urban area. The school maintains a Roman Catholic affiliation, which is evident in the role it plays in program curriculums and daily life at the school. Enrollment at GU is nearly seventeen thousand yearly.

Students can select from several areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • Legal Professions And Studies
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration And Social Services
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences

The admissions process starts with the submission of an application, school records, and test scores, which are then reviewed by admissions officials. The majority of students admitted to Georgetown University achieve an SAT score within the range of 1290 - 1500, or an ACT composite score in a range of 30 - 33. Only 20% of applicants are accepted to the school due to the huge number of applicants and the intense competition for the limited enrollment spots. More information from the admissions office can be found here.

Tuition is approximately $46,000 for the year, though it may vary based on any number of circumstances. Students should check the school's net price calculator to determine cost. Housing may be available for those that want to live on-campus for a cost of $9,800 for the year. GU may provide financial aid for students who are eligible in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The mascot for Georgetown University is the "Hoyas", and they participate in intercollegiate sports through oversight by the NCAA. Athletic programs offered may include:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Field Hockey (NCAA Division I-AA)

Contact information, financial aid information, areas of study offered, and more may be viewed on school's website at http://www.georgetown.edu.

Enrollment

19,204

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

George Washington University (GW) is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., a short distance from the White House. Students and faculty of GW have the opportunity to work on projects alongside leaders of politics, science, law and many other disciplines. Students also have the opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill, or attend national events and listen to world leaders speak. The commencement ceremonies for graduates are held on the National Mall.

The three major campuses of GW University are the Foggy Bottom Campus and Mount Vernon Campus in D.C., and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Virginia. All the campuses offer excellent facilities, including a library system that houses more than two million volumes, and opportunities to attend professional sports events, headline entertainment, top art exhibits, and more. Off campus and distance learning is also available through online courses.

The GW alumni are internationally recognized, and include former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Arnold "Red" Auerbach, former coach of the Boston Celtics, actors Alec Baldwin and Kerry Washington, and more than 50 Fulbright scholars, among others.

GW University offers hundreds of options for academic majors and minors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can choose their major and minor from among the following academic interest areas:

  • Business & Management
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Health, Medicine & Nursing
  • History & Government
  • International Studies
  • Literature & Language
  • Media, Journalism & Communication
  • Professional Studies
  • Religion & Philosophy
  • Science & Mathematics
  • Security and Public Safety
  • Social & Human Behavior
  • Visual & Performing Arts

History

The George Washington University was founded in 1821 as "Columbian College" through an Act of Congress. It was established in response to George Washington's vision of an institution in the nation's capital that would educate and prepare its future leaders. Washington died before his vision was realized, but President James Monroe and others were committed to carrying out the venture. The university opened with three faculty members and 30 students enrolled.

Now the largest university in the District of Columbia, GW is comprised of three campuses: Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses in D.C., and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. GW also has several graduate education centers in the D.C. area.

Academics

The academic calendar for the George Washington University follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters, and multiple shorter summer "sessions."

Colleges and Schools

  • Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Medicine & Health Sciences
  • Law School
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science
  • Graduate School of Education & Human Development
  • School of Business
  • Elliott School of International Affairs
  • School of Public Health & Health Services
  • College of Professional Studies
  • School of Nursing

Student Life

There are more than 300 student clubs, groups and organizations for GW University students to get involved in. Student engagement at GW is high, and when students aren't participating in some of the many community service or leadership events or hands-on learning labs or partnerships available through local organizations, there is plenty to do to engage students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. GW offers a world-class library, state-of-the-art facilities, and a full range of sports, arts and entertainment.

The Washington, D.C., region offers many cultural and outdoor activities as well. The campuses are all well situated in interesting neighborhoods, with easy access to all the metro area has to offer.

Traditions

There are many rich traditions at the GW University, many of them tied to the school's namesake, President George Washington.

The school colors are Blue and Buff (pale gold), and the GW fight song makes reference to these colors:

Hail to the Buff,
Hail to the Blue,
Hail to the Buff and Blue!
All our lives we'll be proud to say,
We hail from GW! (Go Big Blue!)
Oh, by George, we're happy we can say,
We're GW, here to show the way, so
Raise high the Buff!
Raise high the Blue!
Loyal to GW
You bet we're
Loyal to GW!
Fight!

Athletics

The George Washington University "Colonials" athletic teams compete in 22 intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Rowing
  • Soccer
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Water Polo 

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Gymnastics
  • Lacrosse
  • Rowing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Satellite Campuses

The GW University has three major campuses: the Foggy Bottom Campus in the "Foggy Bottom neighborhood in the heart of Washington, D.C.; the Mount Vernon Campus in the wooded "Foxhall" neighborhood on the former site of Mount Vernon College; and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia - an area known for its focus on technology research.  Each campus has a distinct ambiance with integrated services and amenities.

In addition to its three major campuses, GW has education facilities throughout the region of Washington, D.C., that serve as centers for graduate professional studies programs.

Community Life

Students at all three main GW campuses enjoy great neighborhoods. The Foggy Bottom Campus is located in 18 city blocks of the "Foggy Bottom" neighborhood, known for its low-rise brick and brownstone buildings and streets lined with trees.

Students on the Mount Vernon Campus will enjoy a quieter setting on 23 acres within a wooded residential area.

Students at GW are very likely to be involved in community activities and service, contributing to hundreds of organizations from non-profits to politics. Students in the GW athletics department are active volunteers of community organizations, including motivational presentations to local high school groups, clean-up activities at local parks and facilities, assisting local youth sports, and more.

Enrollment

28,172

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Catholic University of America provides a variety of program options for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Washington, District Of Columbia and operated as a private institution. The school maintains a Roman Catholic affiliation, which is evident in the role it plays in program curriculums and daily life at the school. Over 7,000 students enroll at CUA yearly.

Students may choose from several areas of study, including:

  • Legal Professions And Studies
  • Public Administration And Social Services
  • Social Sciences
  • Architecture

Students applying for admission are generally asked to submit an application, transcripts, test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the school. The most common standardized test scores among students admitted to CUA are in the range of 22 - 27 on the ACT, or 1000 - 1220 on the SAT. 87% of those students that apply are admitted to this school, of which 18% choose to enroll. More information on admissions can be found at admissions.cua.edu.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is close to $39,000 per year. Tuition prices may change for a variety of reasons, and therefore students should visit the school's price of attendance calculator to identify their personalized cost estimate of attendance. Housing is available for students, and generally costs approximately $9,500 for the year. Financial aid may be provided to students that meet the necessary requirements by way of grants or student loans.

Catholic University of America has a variety of athletic programs overseen by the NCAA. Athletic programs available may include but not limited to:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
  • Field Hockey (NCAA Division III)

Students who would like to learn more about this school can check out their website at https://www.catholic.edu/admission/undergraduate/index.html.

Enrollment

5,956

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Howard University is a nonprofit private historically black institution located in Washington, District Of Columbia. Many historically black colleges and universities (also known as HBCUs) were founded after the civil war to provide newly freed African Americans with educational opportunities. Howard University has a yearly student enrollment of over 10,000.

A list of some of the more popular programs offered are:

  • Legal Professions And Studies
  • Communications And Journalism
  • Public Administration And Social Services
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences

The admissions process will begin with the submission of an application, transcripts, and test scores, which are then reviewed by the admissions committee. A SAT or ACT exam may be required prior to applying, with scores within the range of 1410 - 1720 for the SAT exam and in a range of 20 - 25 for the ACT exam is common among students accepted to Howard University. Approximately 50 percent of all applicant were accepted at Howard University, with 31 percent of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found at howard.edu.

The cost of undergraduate tuition is nearly $22,000 annually. Tuition prices may change for any number of reasons, and therefore students should visit the school's net price calculator to understand their personalized cost estimate of attendance. Housing may be available for students who wish to live on-campus at an estimated cost of $13,000 each year. Howard University may provide financial aid for students that are eligible in the form of grants and loans.

Athletic programs are available at Howard University through the NCAA, allowing students to compete in intercollegiate sports. Athletic programs available may include the following:

  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Football (NCAA Division I-AA)

For a complete list of areas of study, programs, enrollment information, admissions information, and more, please take a look at the school's website at http://www.howard.edu.

Enrollment

9,139

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Gallaudet University is a nonprofit private institution located in Washington, DC and provides a large number of program options for students. Around a thousand students enroll at Galludet University yearly. Students can choose from many areas of study, including:

  • Communications And Journalism
  • Education
  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Ethnic Cultural And Gender Studies
  • Family And Consumer Sciences
  • Psychology
Students applying for admission are most often asked to submit an application, transcripts, test scores and any requested letters of recommendations, which will then be reviewed by the admissions staff. An ACT or SAT exam is required prior to applying, with scores within the range of 630 to 905 for the SAT exam and between 15 to 21 for the ACT exam is typical among students admitted to this school. An estimated 70 percent of all students that applied were admitted at this school, with 71 percent of those accepted choosing to enroll. More information on admissions can be found here. Tuition is approximately $13,000 for the year, though it may vary based on any number of circumstances. Students may check the school's tuition calculator to find what your personalized cost of attendance would be. Housing may be available for students that would like to live on-campus for around a cost of $6,000 each year. Students attending Gallaudet University may qualify for aid which is generally loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs. Athletic programs are available at Gallaudet University through the NCAA, allowing students to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Athletic programs that are available include:
  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Football (NCAA Division III)
  • Soccer (NCAA Division III)
Students should visit the Gallaudet University website to see a complete list of programs offered, student services, and more.

Enrollment

1,557

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Trinity Washington University, located in Washington D.C., is a Catholic institution that was founded in 1987 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The school was founded as a women's college, and for the first 70 years of its existence the school focused on providing an education to middle class women. BY the 1960's the school was in competition for daughters of the wealthy and powerful but experienced a decline in enrollment in the following twenty years. As a result the school refocused, becoming a multifaceted university serving diverse populations of women.

Academics

Trinity Washington University offers a variety of programs at the graduate and post-graduate level. These programs provide comprehensive educations for students, and are taught by qualified individuals in their given fields. The university is broken down into four schools that focus on separate fields, including the college of arts and sciences, the school of education, nursing and health professions and the school of professional studies.

Programs offered include:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Trinity Washington University must complete the application and supply all requested documentation. Once received, it will be reviewed and a notification of whether or not the student has been admitted will be sent. Students may apply online through the school's website to begin the process. Financial aid is available in the form of grants and loans. Students in need of aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility and awards.

Enrollment

1,782

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Best District of Columbia Private School Degrees

Degree tracks at private colleges in the District of Columbia will depend on your interests coupled with programs offered by colleges. Majors and minors available at private universities in DC are detailed within MatchCollege to provide quick access to information in a single location instead of toggling from school site to school site. The best degree programs will be a function of your skills, abilities, and interests. Areas of concentration you will find at private institutions may include popular degree programs such ashistory,philosophy,math,business,law, andanthropologyto more uncommon majors. Emerging degree programs offered by DC colleges includeforensic psychology,biomedical engineering,computer systems,engineering management,healthcare administration,urban planning,management science,nursing administration,public policy,optometry, andsurveying technology.

List of Large 4-Year Private Universities in District Of Columbia

There are 4 large private universities in our database for District Of Columbia. Follow the links below to get more details about each school.

Large Universities with Research Facilities or Faculty

The universities listed below offer many diverse academic programs, have a large student body, and usually have research facilities or faculty involved with research. These schools very often have graduate and professional programs as well.

Catholic University of America in Washington, DC

Visit the website for Catholic University of America at catholic.edu

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $50,000 per year

Georgetown University in Washington, DC

Visit the website for Georgetown University at georgetown.edu

Program Details

  • More Than 20,000 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $59,000 per year

Virtual Campus Tour of

Howard University (Georgetown) in Washington, DC

Visit the website for Howard University at howard.edu

Program Details

  • 10,000 to 19,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $29,000 per year

University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC

Visit the website for University of the District of Columbia at udc.edu

Program Details

  • 5,000 to 9,999 Undergraduate Students Enrolled
  • Estimated tuition & fees: $6,000 per year

Small to Medium Sized 4-Year Universities

The 4-year schools listed below have a small to medium sized student body and may offer a wide range of associate and bachelor's degrees. Get more information about each school by clicking the links below.

4-Year Colleges with a Special Focus on an Area of Study

The schools below are grouped by their special area of focus. To learn about admissions, tuition & fees, programs offered, and more click on the school names below.

Theological Seminaries, Bible Colleges, and Other Faith-Related Institutions

Notes: Tuition & fee amounts are for both District Of Columbia in-state residents and out of state students, unless noted otherwise. The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

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