University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC 20008
About University of the District of Columbia
University of the District of Columbia is a public research university in Washington, District of Columbia, serving roughly 3,351 students. University of the District of Columbia awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $5,662 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $44,236 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- University of the District of Columbia charges 3% above the national public median tuition ($5,662).
- Versus the District of Columbia median, sticker tuition is about 0.3×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 33.24%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,236.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at University of the District of Columbia is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 939% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
University of the District of Columbia awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 54 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the District of Columbia | $5,662 | $10,648 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| District of Columbia (state median) | $19,530 | — | 14 |
| Urban (City) (locale median) | $15,200 | $20,053 | 1,346 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is University of the District of Columbia really?
Key findings
- University of the District of Columbia charges 3% above the national public median tuition ($5,662).
- Versus the District of Columbia median, sticker tuition is about 0.3×.
University of the District of Columbia tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $5,662
Finding University of the District of Columbia charges 3% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $5,662. That is 3% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the District of Columbia median ($19,530), sticker tuition is about 0.3×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.5×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at University of the District of Columbia versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at University of the District of Columbia versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at University of the District of Columbia is $10,648.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $10,648 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). Versus urban (city) campuses, net price runs $9,405 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At University of the District of Columbia, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
University of the District of Columbia: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for University of the District of Columbia—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$5,662
Out-of-state tuition
$12,514
Avg. net price
$10,648
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $10,268 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,399 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,557 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,312 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $22,648. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What University of the District of Columbia is known for
Top program completions
- Education, General97
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other64
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies58
- Nursing Education40
- Law29
See earnings & programs for more.
Is University of the District of Columbia a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
University of the District of Columbia is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for University of the District of Columbia.
Campus
Location
Washington, DC
City / state
- ZIP
- 20008
- NCES locale
- City
Compared with Urban (City) campuses nationally, net price is about 0.5× the median for Urban (City) campuses ($20,053 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Mid East
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Size
Enrollment
3,351
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 4,695
- Graduate
- 592
- Full-time share
- 42%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$24,872
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 35.79%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for University of the District of Columbia.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of the District of Columbia was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of the District of Columbia in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,138 | $8,778 | $15,453 |
| 2014 | $5,251 | $11,233 | $16,313 |
| 2015 | $5,251 | $11,233 | $18,201 |
| 2016 | $5,612 | $11,756 | $15,532 |
| 2017 | $5,756 | $12,092 | $17,548 |
| 2018 | $5,888 | $12,416 | $16,482 |
| 2019 | $6,020 | $12,704 | $15,894 |
| 2020 | $6,152 | $13,004 | $16,001 |
| 2021 | $6,152 | $13,004 | $16,276 |
| 2022 | $6,152 | $13,004 | $14,144 |
| 2023 | $6,152 | $13,004 | $14,693 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of the District of Columbia reported total enrollment of about 3,351 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 33% male and 67% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (56.5%), Hispanic or Latino (26.5%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (6.2%). About 35.79% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 50.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
42.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of the District of Columbia in 2024 is 3,351 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,695 students. Graduate enrollment is about 592 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
67.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
29.39% 100% Completion Time
33.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 29.39% of students graduating from University of the District of Columbia completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Education, General: 4% male / 96% female
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other: 45% male / 55% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 40% male / 60% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
University of the District of Columbia graduates earn a median of $44,236 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of University of the District of Columbia.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $44,236. Median federal loan debt: $24,872. Average net price used in cost models: $10,648.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway University of the District of Columbia graduates report median earnings of $44,236 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for University of the District of Columbia.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (54 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at University of the District of Columbia.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for University of the District of Columbia graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for University of the District of Columbia—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$58.6M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- District of Columbia median 0.44× the median ($133M)
- Mid East median 1.4× the median ($42.6M)
- U.S. median 2.2× the median ($26.4M)
- District of Columbia median 0.30× the median ($68,912)
- Mid East median 1.3× the median ($16,427)
- U.S. median 1.7× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 38.4%
- District of Columbia median 18.7 pp below median (57.1%)
- Mid East median 18.5 pp below median (56.9%)
- U.S. median 19.6 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,925
- District of Columbia median near the median ($8,291)
- Mid East median near the median ($8,119)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,646
- District of Columbia median near the median ($13,241)
- Mid East median 1.4× the median ($9,164)
- U.S. median 1.7× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
University of the District of Columbia at a glance
University of the District of Columbia
University of the District of Columbia is a public institution in Washington, DC, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Education, GeneralBusiness Administration, Management and Operations, OtherLiberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- Black or African American56.5%Hispanic or Latino26.5%Race/ethnicity unknown6.2%
Schools near University of the District of Columbia
Other campuses in Washington, DC when available, plus nearby institutions in District of Columbia.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within District of Columbia, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of the District of Columbia located?
University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC.
What is University of the District of Columbia's tuition?
University of the District of Columbia tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $5,662 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $10,648 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does University of the District of Columbia cost?
Reported tuition is $5,662 and average net price is $10,648 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,224 annually.
What explains University of the District of Columbia's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($10,648), completion (33.2% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($44,236). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at University of the District of Columbia?
University of the District of Columbia reports undergraduate enrollment of about 4,695 students, Black or African American (56.5%), Hispanic or Latino (26.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of the District of Columbia?
About 50.8% of students at University of the District of Columbia are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of University of the District of Columbia earn?
Median earnings are $36,358 six years after entry and $44,236 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of the District of Columbia?
The 150%-time completion rate is 33.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of the District of Columbia students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $24,872.
Is University of the District of Columbia public or private?
University of the District of Columbia is a public institution located in Washington, DC.
Is University of the District of Columbia an HBCU?
Yes. University of the District of Columbia is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is University of the District of Columbia a tribal college?
No. University of the District of Columbia is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- District of Columbia college profile
- District of Columbia college costs
- District of Columbia colleges by ROI
- Washington, District of Columbia city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in District of Columbia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.