Best Colleges in Washington DC by Salary Potential

Washington DC is a beacon for education. Before starting a bachelor’s degree, learn about the capital’s best four-year colleges by earning potential.

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Bachelor's Only
All Alumni
RankSchool NameSchool TypeEarly Career Pay
Mid-Career Pay
% High Meaning
% STEM Degrees
Rank:1School Name:Georgetown UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$71,600Mid-Career Pay:$141,700% High Meaning:44%% STEM Degrees:13%
Rank:2School Name:George Washington UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$66,000Mid-Career Pay:$133,600% High Meaning:47%% STEM Degrees:20%
Rank:3School Name:The Catholic University of AmericaSchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research UniversityEarly Career Pay:$61,100Mid-Career Pay:$115,900% High Meaning:55%% STEM Degrees:14%
Rank:4School Name:American UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$59,900Mid-Career Pay:$113,600% High Meaning:46%% STEM Degrees:3%
Rank:5School Name:Howard UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$60,500Mid-Career Pay:$107,900% High Meaning:57%% STEM Degrees:17%
Rank:6School Name:Trinity Washington UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$52,400Mid-Career Pay:$88,800% High Meaning:-% STEM Degrees:5%
Rank:7School Name:University of the District of ColumbiaSchool Type:State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$54,800Mid-Career Pay:$85,500% High Meaning:53%% STEM Degrees:14%
Rank:8School Name:Gallaudet UniversitySchool Type:Private SchoolEarly Career Pay:$45,000Mid-Career Pay:$77,000% High Meaning:71%% STEM Degrees:7%

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College Student

Colleges around the nation’s capitol usually prove to have higher than national averages of median early and mid-career salaries.

The data reveal that early career alumni, with 1-3 years of experience, have a high median salary from Georgetown University and from Howard University. Georgetown alumni stay ahead of the pack for mid-career pay as well.

However, the long-term earning potential of graduates from George Washington University is also high.

The Catholic University of America claims a good student-to-faculty ratio. The smallest college on the list, Strayer University, with about 1,000 undergraduates, has the highest amount of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees.

When alumni are asked if they would recommend the college, Georgetown University has the highest rating, with about 90 percent recommending it.