The cost of college in District of Columbia — and what it pays back
Across the 9 District of Columbia institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $29,561/yr, $12,659 above the $16,902 national median. Graduates earn a median $63,066 ten years after entry (above the $43,549 national median), and 6 of the 9 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
How District of Columbia's 9 colleges split by ROI verdict
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | $40,815 | $103,494 | 3 yrs |
| George Washington University | $36,586 | $90,873 | 3.4 yrs |
| The Catholic University of America | $29,561 | $73,250 | 4.8 yrs |
| American University | $41,943 | $77,370 | 5.8 yrs |
| Trinity Washington University | $9,302 | $53,804 | 6.8 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Washington University | $9,302 | $53,804 | 6.8 yrs |
| University of the District of Columbia | $10,648 | $44,236 | no payback |
| Gallaudet University | $15,845 | $43,101 | no payback |
| Strayer University-Global Region | $17,833 | $40,092 | no payback |
| The Catholic University of America | $29,561 | $73,250 | 4.8 yrs |
How many District of Columbia colleges actually pay for themselves?
6 of 9 — 67% of the District of Columbia institutions we profile clear their full net cost on institution-wide earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The rest need a high-paying major to pay off; the school average alone does not do it.
Do District of Columbia graduates out-earn the national median?
District of Columbia graduates report a median $63,066 ten years after entry, $19,518 above the $43,549 national median. Earnings track the local labour market and the mix of fields the state's colleges graduate, not the state border itself.