Colleges in District of Columbia

Washington D.C., the District, hosts several distinct universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education, both public and private. The University of the District of Columbia is the city’s public university. Among private institutions Georgetown is the nation’s oldest Roman Catholic affiliated body of higher education. The George Washington University is the oldest institution of higher education in the nation’s capital. Gallaudet University is the first liberal arts college for the deaf and hard of hearing. Howard University is a historically black university. The Department of Defense maintains the National Defense University. In all, DC is home to 17 accredited institutions in addition to a variety of subject focused national and international accreditation agencies.

US News & World Report list of America’s Best Colleges has ranked Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, Howard University, and Catholic University of America on their list of Top Schools.