Ranking Universities and Programs in the DMV Area

The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area is known for its rich history, vibrant cities, cultural diversity, and educational and professional opportunities. From New York to DC, there are some of the country's oldest and best schools in the mid-East. This article explores universities in the DMV area, highlighting their programs and rankings.

Top Universities in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., home to the US federal government, is an ideal place to study for those interested in politics and US history. The district boasts numerous sites and artifacts of cultural, historical, and political importance.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University, the oldest Jesuit and Catholic university in the United States, was founded in 1789. It is located in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown. The school has always been research-focused and is home to the Center on Education and the Workforce and the Vincent Lombardi Cancer Center, where researchers developed the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer. Current faculty members of Georgetown University include former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Michael Dyson, an esteemed academic and writer on black culture and hip-hop.

George Washington University

George Washington University was named after the nation’s first president and established in 1821. George Washington left shares to endow a university in D.C. The university is made up of 10 schools including its Business School, Law School and the School of International Affairs. The university’s main campus is located in the neighborhood of Foggy Bottom.

American University

American University is a private university with a liberal arts curriculum, which emphasizes strong programs in public policy and public affairs, and international law and human rights, thanks in part to its DC location. Internationally diverse, American University has a population of around 12,000 students hailing from 124 different countries as well as the US, who can take advantage of the school’s focus on international understanding, which is reflected in faculty research and program offerings.

Howard University

Howard University was established in 1867 as a nonsectarian school open to both sexes and all races. This Washington DC university, located in northwest DC on 256 acres, is comprised of a number of schools including faculties of business, dentistry, pharmacy, communications, education, arts and sciences and divinity.

Other Notable Institutions in Washington, D.C.

There are nineteen colleges and universities in Washington, D.C., that are listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. These institutions include five research universities, four master's universities, and ten special-focus institutions. Sixteen of Washington, D.C.'s post-secondary institutions are private, of which three are for-profit. Only three of the city's post-secondary institutions listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education are public.

Catholic Post-Secondary Institutions

In total, there are six Catholic post-secondary institutions listed under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America, Georgetown University, the Dominican House of Studies, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America, Trinity Washington University, and the Washington Theological Union.

Medical and Law Schools

Washington, D.C., has three medical schools: George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Howard University College of Medicine. There are six law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA): the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, Columbus School of Law (Catholic University of America), Howard University School of Law, George Washington University Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, and Washington College of Law (American University).

International Relations Schools

Four international relations schools in Washington, D.C., are members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA): Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Johns Hopkins University's Paul H.

George Mason University

As Virginia’s largest and most diverse public university, George Mason is a leader in advancing Virginia as a top state in business and education. George Mason serves families by providing flexibility and affordability of educational excellence and serves the commonwealth by driving innovation for economic development. Most of our graduates stay in Virginia and around the Washington, D.C.

Towson University

Princeton Review included TU among the best colleges in the Mid-Atlantic in its 2025 Best Colleges: Region by Region rankings. TU has been recognized by Insight into Diversity with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for five consecutive years dating back to 2020. Washington Monthly ranked TU the No. 1 Best Bang for the Buck among Maryland's public universities and No.

Rankings and Recognition

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more.

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