Top 4 Cheapest Colleges in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States and is also home to several colleges and universities. Some of those universities have high tuition rates, while others have much more affordable tuition.

Keep reading to discover the cheapest colleges in Washington D.C. and across the United States.

Top Cheap Colleges in Washington D.C.

There are about a dozen colleges and universities in Washington D.C. that offer bachelor's degrees, but some of them charge very high tuition.

We've listed some of the cheapest colleges in Washington D.C. below in alphabetical order. Please note that tuition prices are estimated and may change.

1. Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University is a private university in Washington D.C. for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Bachelor's degrees are available through the following schools within the university:

• Arts and Humanities
• Civic Leadership, Business, and Social Change
• Human Services and Sciences
• Language, Education, and Culture
• Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health

Undergraduate tuition at Gallaudet University is $9,146 per semester of full-time study or $18,292 per year.

2. Strayer University

Strayer University is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in person and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees at Strayer University in fields such as:

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Information Technology

Tuition costs $1,525 per course. At 40 total courses per degree, that works out to roughly $15,250 per year.

3. University of the District of Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia is a public, historically black university in Washington, D.C. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus.

Bachelor's degrees are available through the following colleges and schools within the university:

• College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences
• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business and Public Administration
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

D.C. residents pay a tuition of $3,888 per semester for full-time study or $7,776 per year. Non-residents pay $8,160, or $16,320 per year. Residents of the metro area receive a tuition discount.

4. University of the Potomac

The University of the Potomac is a private for-profit university with a handful of campuses throughout the country, including one in Washington D.C. It offers associate through doctoral degrees in person and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees at the University of the Potomac in areas of study like:

• Business
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Early Childhood Development
• Hospitality

Bachelor's degrees at the University of the Potomac cost about $3,375 per semester or $6,750 per year.

Other Cheap National Online Colleges

Washington D.C. isn't a large area, so it's not surprising that there are only a handful of colleges there that offer affordable degrees.

Below, we've listed some additional cheap national online colleges. Again, please keep in mind that tuition prices are approximate and subject to change.

National University

National University is a private university with its headquarters in San Diego, CA. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees primarily online.

Bachelor's degrees are available in fields such as:

• Business and Marketing
• Healthcare and Nursing
• Social Sciences and Psychology
• Teaching and Education

Undergraduate tuition at National University averages $13,284 per year.

National Intelligence University

The National Intelligence University is a research university in Bethesda, MD, operated by and for the United States Intelligence Community.

It offers one bachelor's degree: a Bachelor of Science in Intelligence. This is a fourth-year transfer program that focuses on globalization and the intelligence landscape.

The university does not charge tuition to students. Textbooks are also free, although students must return them at the end of each quarter.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private university based in Manchester, NH. It offers associate through doctoral degrees on campus and online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees at SNHU in areas of study like:

• Business
• Liberal Arts
• Science and Technology
• Social Sciences

On-campus programs have a tuition of $15,450 for full-time students. Online students pay $330 per credit or $9,900 for 30 credits a year.

The University of Maryland Global

The University of Maryland Global is the online branch of the public University of Maryland system. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Bachelor's degrees are available at the university in fields such as:

• Business and Management
• Healthcare and Science
• Information Technology and Computer Science
• Liberal Arts and Communication

Tuition for Maryland residents is $318 per credit, which comes to at least $7,632 per year for full-time students. Out-of-state tuition is $499 per credit or at least $11,976 per year.

University of Massachusetts Global

University of Massachusetts Global is a private affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts. It offers associate through doctoral degrees primarily online.

Students can earn bachelor's degrees at UMass Global in areas of study like:

• Arts and Sciences
• Business and Professional Studies
• Education
• Nursing and Health Professions

Bachelor's programs cost $500 per credit or at least $12,00 per year. The university also offers self-paced learning options that cost $3,200 per 24-week term.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University is an online private university based in Millcreek, UT. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Bachelor's degrees are available at WGU in fields such as:

• Business
• Education
• Health and Nursing
• Information Technology

Tuition at the university varies depending on the program, but the average bachelor's student pays a tuition of $8,010 per year.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

The cost of a college degree can depend on several factors, like the school you choose, the financial aid you receive, and whether you live on campus or at home.

According to the Education Data Initiative, average college tuition in the U.S. is $9,349 for in-state students and $27,023 for out-of-state students per year at public 4-year institutions.

How To Make College Affordable

One of the best ways to make college affordable is to take advantage of financial aid. Fill out your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what you qualify for.

Other things you can do to reduce the cost of college are to choose an affordable program and to live at home if possible.

Do Cheap Colleges in Washington D.C. Offer High-Quality Education?

Many of the cheap colleges listed above still offer a high-quality education in Washington D.C. All institutions listed above are accredited, meaning they meet educational standards.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

Often, colleges and universities, especially public ones, charge a lower tuition rate to students within the state.

Some schools in Washington D.C. may also offer reduced tuition to students in Maryland or Virginia.

Find an Affordable College in Washington D.C. Today

Students can find affordable bachelor's degrees in Washington D.C. and across the country.

Also, keep in mind that there are affordable online programs around the U.S.

Check out the programs listed above to find your perfect fit today!