2026 Best Value Business Schools in District Of Columbia
Looking for the best-value Business degree programs in District Of Columbia? We have ranked 23 colleges 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 arm you with the information you need, Business Degree Central reviewed 6 schools to produce 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 Business Degree Schools in District Of Columbia
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Strayer University District Of Columbia tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Business degree schools in District Of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, Strayer University District Of Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete their Business program here. Strayer University District Of Columbia alumni report median earnings of $40,092 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt. Read the full report on Strayer University District Of Columbia
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Howard University earned it the #2 place in District Of Columbia. Howard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical Business student debt is $25,498. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,066. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 41% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Howard University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Washington University earned it the #3 place in District Of Columbia. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Business program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $90,873. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants. Read more about George Washington University
You'll get strong value at Georgetown University, which ranked #4 this year. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. The median Business program debt is $16,483. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $103,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Georgetown University
A rank of #5 makes American University one of the best values in District Of Columbia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. The median Business program debt is $24,139. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $77,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. See the full American University profile
Catholic University Of America placed #6 among the best-value Business schools in District Of Columbia. Set in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about University Of The District Of Columbia
Bennett Career Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Read the full report on Bennett Career Institute
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Read the full report on The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc
Institute Of World Politics ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about Institute Of World Politics
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. Read more about National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Business schools. More on Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies
Gallaudet University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. See the full Gallaudet University profile
Wesley Theological Seminary came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. See the full Wesley Theological Seminary profile
Newu University
Newu University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Newu University report
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc landed the #16 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc
Potomac College Washington offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. More on Potomac College Washington
Trinity Washington University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Trinity Washington University
Strayer University Global Region placed #19 among the best-value Business schools in District Of Columbia. Read the full report on Strayer University Global Region
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health landed the #20 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on Saint Michael College Of Allied Health
Windsor University placed #21 among the best-value Business schools in District Of Columbia. Read more about Windsor University
Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family landed the #22 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family report
Career Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Career Technical Institute report
More Business Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Business Degree Central (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 · 6 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).