: Ranked #63 nationally, it is the city's largest university by enrollment, with over 25,000 students.

: A private Methodist research university known for its top-tier School of International Service (SIS) and active political engagement.

The District's leading institutions are frequently recognized for their strengths in political science, international affairs, and law.

: The District's only public university and a land-grant HBCU.

: The world’s only higher education institution specifically designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, where all programs are taught in both English and American Sign Language (ASL).

: A public military institution focused on high-level national security strategy. Academic Comparison (2026 Projections) Acceptance Rate Median Starting Salary Student Satisfaction Georgetown University George Washington University American University Howard University Catholic University of America Table data sourced from College Raptor and University Guru . The "Capital Advantage"

Washington, D.C. is home to approximately . The city's academic landscape is unique, featuring a heavy concentration of private research institutions alongside specialized federal and public schools that leverage their proximity to the seat of the U.S. government. Top-Ranked Universities

While private schools dominate the landscape, D.C. also hosts several public and highly specialized institutions.