Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

15 Best Universities in District of Columbia

Exploring the academic landscape of District of Columbia, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 15 higher education institutions. We analyzed 302.5K scientific publications and 8.6M citations to accurately measure the research output of these institutions. With a collective network of 57.2K distinguished alumni, these universities demonstrate significant global reach and career outcomes.

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1

Washington, DC

Georgetown University

#51 in United States #55 in North America

13% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1789 Founded

2

Washington, DC

George Washington University

#66 in United States #72 in North America

47% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1425 Avg SAT

1821 Founded

3

Washington, DC

American University in Washington

#136 in United States #157 in North America

62% Acceptance

7,476 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1893 Founded

4

Washington, DC

Howard University

#179 in United States #203 in North America

41% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

5

Washington, DC

Catholic University of America

#212 in United States #239 in North America

83% Acceptance

3,177 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

6

Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

#461 in United States #509 in North America

58% Acceptance

9,377 Enrollment

901 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

7

Fort Lesley J McNair

National Defense University

#544 in United States #599 in North America

59% Acceptance

1,500 Enrollment

1260 Avg SAT

1976 Founded

8

Washington, DC

University of the District of Columbia

#602 in United States #659 in North America

100% Acceptance

14,074 Enrollment

1140 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

9

Washington, DC

Strayer University – Global Region

#1133 in United States #1208 in North America

100% Acceptance

63,012 Enrollment

1043 Avg SAT

1892 Founded

10

Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University

#1287 in United States #1365 in North America

100% Acceptance

63,012 Enrollment

1189 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

11

Washington, DC

Wesley Theological Seminary

#1628 in United States #1715 in North America

83% Acceptance

159 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

12

Washington, DC

Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family

#1797 in United States #1886 in North America

95% Acceptance

200 Enrollment

868 Avg SAT

13

Washington, DC

Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies

#1804 in United States #1893 in North America

93% Acceptance

202 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

14

Washington, DC

Institute of World Politics

#1982 in United States #2075 in North America

81% Acceptance

1990 Founded

15

Washington, DC

University of the District of Columbia – David A Clarke School of Law

#2120 in United States #2217 in North America

81% Acceptance