2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

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The acceptance rate of an institution measures how many students are accepted as a percentage of the number who apply. Colleges and universities that are more selective are generally seen as more prestigious as it is harder to gain acceptance and enroll. But, there are many factors that influence overall acceptance rate, including the overall number of applicants and the strength of applications received.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Georgetown University	7833	12.91	1,400 – 1,550	37967	83222	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia Georgetown University Washington, DC A private Jesuit research university, Georgetown University was founded as the Georgetown College in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll. It’s the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the country and offers over 50 majors. Past graduates include Bill Clinton, Lyndon B....Read more Undergraduates 7,833 Acceptance Rate 12.9 % 1.3% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $37,967 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $83,222
2	Howard University	11519	41.34	1,100 – 1,320	30028	47379	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia Howard University Washington, DC “Veritas et Utilitas,” or “Excellence in Truth and Service,” is the motto of Howard University. The university boasts an impressive 90% first year retention rate. Offering undergraduate, graduate, professional, and joint degree programs which span over 79 areas of study, the university’s most popular major is Biology/Biological......Read more Undergraduates 11,519 Acceptance Rate 41.3 % 22.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $30,028 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,379
3	George Washington University	11677	47.09	1,360 – 1,490	45466	71607	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia George Washington University Washington, DC George Washington University was chartered by the United States Congress in 1821. George Washington personally advocated for a national university in the capital until his death. Alumni include J. Edgar Hoover, Belva Ann Lockwood, J. William Fulbright, and several foreign leaders....Read more Undergraduates 11,677 Acceptance Rate 47.1 % 8.2% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $45,466 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,607
4	University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus	266	60.37	--	18780	38444	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus Washington, DC Located in Washington, the University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus’s acceptance rate is 60% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $100 for graduate applications. About 4% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 67% and 75% of students will......Read more Undergraduates 266 Acceptance Rate 60.4 % SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $18,780 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,444
5	Gallaudet University	919	60.94	790 – 960	15025	36578	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia Gallaudet University Washington, DC Gallaudet University is dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing, with two official languages: English and American Sign Language. Many students major in Deaf Studies. It’s the only higher education school in the world that has designed all of its programs and services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Undergraduates 919 Acceptance Rate 60.9 % SAT Score 790 – 960 Avg. Net Price $15,025 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,578
6	American University	7476	61.87	1,300 – 1,450	40189	61328	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia American University Washington, DC Found in Washington, American University accepts 62% of applicants and requires $75 for undergraduate applications and $63 for graduate applications. About 62% of students at American University will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 88%....Read more Undergraduates 7,476 Acceptance Rate 61.9 % 30.6% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $40,189 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,328
7	The Catholic University of America	3177	82.78	1,100 – 1,310	35008	63217	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia The Catholic University of America Washington, DC Located in Washington, The Catholic University of America’s acceptance rate is 83%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 99% of students attending The Catholic University of America currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 3,177 Acceptance Rate 82.8 % 1.3% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $35,008 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,217
8	University of the District of Columbia	3297	83.84	--	14287	36358	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC Based in Washington, the University of the District of Columbia’s acceptance rate is 84%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 23% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At the University of the District of......Read more Undergraduates 3,297 Acceptance Rate 83.8 % SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,287 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,358
9	Strayer University-Global Region	10093	92	--	18470	36582	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia Strayer University-Global Region Washington, DC Undergraduates 10,093 Acceptance Rate 92.0 % SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $18,470 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,582
10	Trinity Washington University	1604	99.19	--	12704	38533	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia Trinity Washington University Washington, DC Undergraduates 1,604 Acceptance Rate 99.2 % 2.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $12,704 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,533

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

7,833

12.9 % 1.3%

1,400 – 1,550

$37,967

$83,222

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

11,519

41.3 % 22.6%

1,100 – 1,320

$30,028

$47,379

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

11,677

47.1 % 8.2%

1,360 – 1,490

$45,466

$71,607

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

266

60.4 %

--

$18,780

$38,444

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

919

60.9 %

790 – 960

$15,025

$36,578

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

7,476

61.9 % 30.6%

1,300 – 1,450

$40,189

$61,328

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

3,177

82.8 % 1.3%

1,100 – 1,310

$35,008

$63,217

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

3,297

83.8 %

--

$14,287

$36,358

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

10,093

92.0 %

--

$18,470

$36,582

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Acceptance Rate in District of Columbia

1,604

99.2 % 2.3%

--

$12,704

$38,533

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12.9 %
1.3%

41.3 %
22.6%

47.1 %
8.2%

61.9 %
30.6%

82.8 %
1.3%

99.2 %
2.3%