Cost of college in District of Columbia
In-state tuition at a public 4-year college in District of Columbia averages $5,662 a year, or $10,648 as a real net price after aid. Graduates earn a median $44,236 and owe about $24,872. The net price pays back in about 17 years.
How District of Columbia compares to the US
District of Columbia ranks #50 of 51 for public in-state tuition (#1 is the most expensive), and #50 of 51 for graduate earnings. It ranks #50 of 51 for payback, where #1 is the fastest.
| Metric | District of Columbia | US average | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition | $5,662 | $9,518 | -$3,856 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,514 | $23,652 | -$11,138 |
| Net price after aid | $10,648 | $13,788 | -$3,140 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs out | $44,236 | $56,427 | -$12,191 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,872 | $17,856 | +$7,016 |
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, 2026 release. Public 4-year institutions, aggregated to the state level and enrollment-weighted.
Does a degree in District of Columbia pay for itself?
Payback is the ROI figure this index adds: the years the college earnings premium takes to recoup the net price. A public 4-year degree in District of Columbia costs about $42,592 over four years at net price, and recoups in about 17 years from the roughly $2,436-a-year premium graduates earn over a high-school graduate (a $41,800 baseline). That ranks #50 of 51 states and DC for payback. See the methodology for how it is built.
Private nonprofit 4-year colleges in District of Columbia list about $55,351 in tuition and net out to about $39,824 after aid.
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in District of Columbia?
At a public 4-year college in District of Columbia, in-state tuition and fees average about $5,662 a year and out-of-state runs about $12,514. The net price after grants and scholarships, which also covers living costs, averages about $10,648. The national figures are $9,518 in-state and $13,788 net price.
What do college graduates in District of Columbia earn and owe?
Ten years after starting, students from District of Columbia's public 4-year colleges earn a median of about $44,236 a year and carry a median federal debt of about $24,872 at graduation, against a national median of $56,427 earnings and $17,856 debt.
Is college worth it in District of Columbia?
A public 4-year degree in District of Columbia costs about $42,592 over four years at net price and recoups in about 17 years from the roughly $2,436-a-year premium graduates earn over a high-school graduate (a $41,800 baseline). Nationally the payback is about 3.8 years.