District of Columbia Colleges Summary

Prospective students looking for public and private colleges in District of Columbia will find more than two dozen options. These include research universities, for-profit schools, vocational-technical colleges and even historically black colleges. District of Columbia colleges even include medical schools through three different universities. Given its heart of politics, arts, and learning, the nation's capital may prove to be just the place for students to pursue their learning goals.

Higher Education Initiatives in Washington, D.C.

Back on Track DC is a program that was established to provide youth and young adults opportunities to reconnect to education. Students interested in getting back on track with their education can find support in numerous ways through the ReEngagement Center, including resources for pursuing a secondary education or career path.

D.C. Colleges: A Few Highlights

Among the District's choices schools is the University of the District of Columbia, the sole public school of higher education located in the nation's capital. This historically black college admits more high school students from the district than any other university in D.C. Students can enroll for undergraduate and graduate degree programs and even a law education. Georgetown University, a private school, is another option. Established in 1789, the university offers education in business, law, medicine, public policy and more. The private, research school of Howard University offers education in more than 120 areas, ranging from the arts to the humanities and the sciences. The school's notable alumni include the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall.

For more details on public institutions of higher education in Washington D.C., see https://helc.osse.dc.gov/vPage/Active-Institution/108/91188

Sources:

  • About, Georgetown University, Accessed March 2018, https://www.georgetown.edu/about
  • Active Institutions, Higher Education Licensing Commission, Accessed March 2018, https://helc.osse.dc.gov/vPage/Active-Institution/108/91188
  • About Howard, Howard University, Accessed March 2018, https://www2.howard.edu/about/about-howard
  • Know Your UDC, University of the District of Columbia, Accessed March 2018, https://www.udc.edu/know-your-udc/
Education Institutes in District of Columbia
Total Number of Educational Institutes
24
Total Enrollment in all institutes
98,399
Number of Public Educational Institutes
2
Number of Private For-Profit Institutes
7
Number of Private Non-Profit Institutes
15
Graduation Rate
22.4%
Total Graduates With Bachelors Degree
6,445
On Campus and Online Programs in District of Columbia
Number of Institutes Offering on-campus programs
7
Number of Institutes Offering on-line programs
3
Number of Institutes Offering both
14

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/