Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in District of Columbia by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest District of Columbia colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 7
- Cheapest net price
- $9,302
- Top earnings 10y
- $103,494
- Public / Private
- 0 / 7
Georgetown University
C- Acceptance
- 12.9%
- Net price
- $40,815
- Earnings 10y
- $103,494
- Acceptance
- 12.9%
Howard University
D- Acceptance
- 41.3%
- Net price
- $50,539
- Earnings 10y
- $63,066
- Acceptance
- 41.3%
George Washington University
C- Acceptance
- 47.1%
- Net price
- $36,586
- Earnings 10y
- $90,873
- Acceptance
- 47.1%
Gallaudet University
C- Acceptance
- 58.1%
- Net price
- $15,845
- Earnings 10y
- $43,101
- Acceptance
- 58.1%
American University
D- Acceptance
- 62%
- Net price
- $41,943
- Earnings 10y
- $77,370
- Acceptance
- 62%
The Catholic University of America
C- Acceptance
- 82.8%
- Net price
- $29,561
- Earnings 10y
- $73,250
- Acceptance
- 82.8%
Trinity Washington University
A- Acceptance
- 99.5%
- Net price
- $9,302
- Earnings 10y
- $53,804
- Acceptance
- 99.5%
How we picked this list
This list starts with District of Columbia colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 6.82 (0 public, 7 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Georgetown University in Washington, DC tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 12.9%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many District of Columbia colleges are in this list?
7 District of Columbia colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.