2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

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First-year retention rates measure the percentage of first-year students who come back to campus for a second year. This is an indicator of how happy students are generally with their decision to attend that institution as less students decide to drop out or transfer to another school.

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Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Georgetown University	97	12.91	1,400 – 1,550	39083	83222	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 First Year Retention Rate 97 % Acceptance Rate 12.9% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $39,083 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $83,222
2	George Washington University	92	47.09	1,370 – 1,500	46485	71607	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 First Year Retention Rate 92 % Acceptance Rate 47.1% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $46,485 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,607
3	Howard University	91	41.34	1,100 – 1,320	33368	47379	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 91% first year retention rate. Offering undergraduate, graduate, professional, and joint degree programs which span over 82 areas of study, the university’s most popular major is Biology/Biological......Read more First Year Retention Rate 91 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 41.3% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $33,368 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,379
4	American University	88	61.96	1,300 – 1,460	39676	61328	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 $65 for graduate applications. About 66% of students at American University will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 88%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % 2.3% Acceptance Rate 62.0% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $39,676 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,328
5	The Catholic University of America	87	82.78	1,040 – 1,240	32705	63217	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 First Year Retention Rate 87 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 82.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $32,705 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,217
6	Gallaudet University	71	58.06	790 – 1,000	15944	36578	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention 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 American Sign Language (Asl). 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. First Year Retention Rate 71 % 7.8% Acceptance Rate 58.1% SAT Score 790 – 1,000 Avg. Net Price $15,944 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,578
7	Trinity Washington University	69	99.52	--	11755	38533	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia Trinity Washington University Washington, DC Located in Washington, Trinity Washington University accepts 100% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 98% of students at Trinity Washington University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 99.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,755 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,533
8	University of the District of Columbia	68	0	--	12895	36358	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $12,895 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,358

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

97 %

12.9%

1,400 – 1,550

$39,083

$83,222

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

92 %

47.1%

1,370 – 1,500

$46,485

$71,607

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

91 % 1.1%

41.3%

1,100 – 1,320

$33,368

$47,379

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

88 % 2.3%

62.0%

1,300 – 1,460

$39,676

$61,328

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

87 % 4.8%

82.8%

1,040 – 1,240

$32,705

$63,217

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

71 % 7.8%

58.1%

790 – 1,000

$15,944

$36,578

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

69 % 2.8%

99.5%

--

$11,755

$38,533

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in District of Columbia

68 % 1.5%

--

--

$12,895

$36,358

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91 %
1.1%

88 %
2.3%

87 %
4.8%

71 %
7.8%

69 %
2.8%

68 %
1.5%