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Most affordable private colleges in District of Columbia

7 private colleges in District of Columbia report net price data, ranging from $12,704 at the lowest to higher costs at more selective schools. The median net price across these is $35,008. District of Columbia's private colleges run a bit higher than the national average for the kind. The list below shows the most affordable options, ranked by net price.

Median net price in District of Columbia

$35,008

National median for private colleges

$15,832

private colleges reporting in District of Columbia

7

The most affordable private colleges in District of Columbia, ranked by net price

1

Trinity Washington University

DC

Net price

$12,704

Receive grant aid

98%

2

Gallaudet University

DC

Net price

$15,025

Receive grant aid

76%

3

Howard University

DC

Net price

$30,028

Receive grant aid

100%

4

The Catholic University of America

DC

Net price

$35,008

Receive grant aid

99%

5

Georgetown University

DC

Net price

$37,967

Receive grant aid

36%

6

Net price

$40,189

Receive grant aid

62%

7

George Washington University

DC

Net price

$45,466

Receive grant aid

77%

What makes a school affordable here

In District of Columbia, the most affordable private colleges share two things in common. First, low published net prices reflect both reasonable sticker prices and meaningful institutional or state aid. Second, a high share of students receive grant aid. At Trinity Washington University, the most affordable on this list, 98% of students receive grant aid. Net price reflects what a typical family actually pays, not the sticker price you see at first glance. A school with a $50,000 sticker price and a $10,000 net price is more affordable for most families than a school with a $20,000 sticker and a $19,000 net price.

Affordable colleges in District of Columbia, other types

Affordable private colleges in other states

Find your personalized cost

National rankings use publicly available federal cost data. Plug in your actual aid offer and family situation for a Worth-It Score that reflects your specific picture.

Affordability rankings use publicly available federal higher-ed cost data. Net price reflects the average cost a family pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from total cost of attendance, for the 2022-23 reporting year. See full methodology →