2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in District Of Columbia
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in District Of Columbia? This list ranks 23 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 7 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in District Of Columbia
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of The District Of Columbia, our #1 best-value Science & Tech school in District Of Columbia. University Of The District Of Columbia is a public school based in Washington, DC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $32,304. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,236. Set against $32,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about University Of The District Of Columbia
Trinity Washington University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in District Of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,610 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,804. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Trinity Washington University report
George Washington University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Science & Tech ranking in District Of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. George Washington University Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. Median earnings reach $90,873 ten years out. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 47% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on George Washington University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgetown University earned it the #4 place in District Of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Median earnings reach $103,494 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants. More on Georgetown University
A rank of #5 makes Howard University one of the best values in District Of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Howard University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,498 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,066 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University has an acceptance rate of 41%. Read more about Howard University
American University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. American University Science & Tech students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. American University alumni report median earnings of $77,370 a decade after entry. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 62% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on American University
Catholic University Of America offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Catholic University Of America alumni report median earnings of $73,250 a decade after entry. Set against $25,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. More on Catholic University Of America
Windsor University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Windsor University report
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc
Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. See the full Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies profile
Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family landed the #11 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read more about Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family
Wesley Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. More on Wesley Theological Seminary
Strayer University Global Region placed #13 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in District Of Columbia. See the full Strayer University Global Region profile
Career Technical Institute ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read the full report on Career Technical Institute
Institute Of World Politics offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Institute Of World Politics report
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health landed the #16 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on Saint Michael College Of Allied Health
Gallaudet University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Gallaudet University
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc landed the #18 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. See the full The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc profile
Potomac College Washington landed the #19 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Potomac College Washington report
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts landed the #20 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read more about National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
Strayer University District Of Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Strayer University District Of Columbia
Bennett Career Institute placed #22 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in District Of Columbia. More on Bennett Career Institute
Newu University
Newu University landed the #23 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on Newu University
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 7 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).