Paying for college · Washington, DC
What college really costs in Washington, DC
Average yearly net price after grants at 7 four-year colleges, lowest first. The figure for families earning under $30,000 shows how far need-based aid goes at each school.
Washington, DC state grants
- DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG): Up to $3,750 a year at a private HBCU or private DC-area college; more at public universities nationwide (from 2026–27)
- Federal Pell Grant: up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Working while you study
$18.40/hour minimum wage
since 1 July 2026; adjusted for inflation every July.
All four-year colleges in Washington, DC
| College | Avg net price | Income under $30k | Graduate | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Washington UniversityWashington · private | $12,820 | $11,715 | 55% | $25,000 |
| Gallaudet UniversityWashington · private | $27,398 | $25,771 | 52% | $18,781 |
| The Catholic University of AmericaWashington · private | $32,543 | $27,245 | 76% | $25,469 |
| Howard UniversityWashington · private | $33,002 | $28,321 | 74% | $23,750 |
| Georgetown UniversityWashington · private | $33,661 | $10,252 | 94% | $14,746 |
| George Washington UniversityWashington · private | $35,760 | $19,440 | 83% | $19,857 |
| American UniversityWashington · private | $41,302 | $28,397 | 75% | $22,250 |
Linked colleges have a full funding guide. More are added every week.
Short of what aid covers?
Students in Washington, DC use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors, and receive every dollar.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; state program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. Four-year, campus-based public and private nonprofit colleges with complete net-price data.