Best Online Colleges in Washington, D.C. 2025

There are a handful of colleges within Washington, D.C., and according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), just over 10,000 students in the city graduated with bachelor's degrees in the 2021-22 school year. Having a bachelor's degree can make a huge impact on your career, especially in a city like D.C.

Not everyone can make it on campus to learn, which is where online college programs can be helpful. There are several schools that offer top online degrees to students in Washington, D.C., and the D.C. area.

D.C. online colleges, and accredited online colleges in general, allow students to earn a high-quality education in a flexible format. Keep reading to discover some of the best online colleges in Washington, D.C.

Best Accredited Online Colleges Near Washington, D.C.

Although the District of Columbia itself has a population of just over 700,000, the D.C. metro area has a population of over 6,000,000. While most schools in the area offer bachelor's degrees in person, a few offer online college programs. We've highlighted some top D.C. online colleges below.

1. Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It offers an online bachelor's degree in liberal studies, as well as online master's degrees in fields like cybersecurity risk management, emergency and disaster management, information technology management, and public relations.

The prestigious university is committed to providing students with the opportunity to make learning work with their busy lives. Online learning is open to residents of all U.S. states and is designed to be flexible for adult learners.

Tuition for the bachelor's degree is $412 per credit hour, while tuition for master's degrees varies by program. The university offers several financial aid options to students, and 48% of students at the university receive some type of aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $65,081

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $58,848

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 13%

Retention Rate: 97%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. George Washington University

At George Washington University, students can earn a bachelor's degree in homeland security online as well as several master's degrees online. The fields of study for the master's programs include cybersecurity, paralegal studies, political management, and publishing.

About 79% of undergraduate students receive financial aid at GWU. Tuition for the bachelor's degree is $975 per credit, while tuition varies for the graduate programs.

The university has produced numerous notable alumni and is one of only six federally chartered institutions in the country. The online programs offered through its College of Professional Studies provide students with the same high-quality education in a flexible and convenient format.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $64,990

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $35,100

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 44%

Retention Rate: 92%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: MSCHE

3. George Mason University

George Mason University offers a variety of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like business administration, global affairs, healthcare, and information technology. The institution is located near the D.C. area in Fairfax, VA.

GMU is Virginia's largest public research university, and its Mason Online allows students to take the same classes offered on campus in an online format. These online courses maintain the same academic rigor and integrity as their campus-based counterparts.

In-state tuition for the online bachelor's degrees ranges from $500 to $600, while out-of-state tuition is nearly three times this. However, many financial aid options are available, with 80% of students receiving aid, especially grants and scholarships.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $13,815

Out-of-State: $39,397

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $13,726

Out-of-State: $35,677

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 89%

Retention Rate: 87%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Gallaudet University

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online through Gallaudet University. Areas of study include communication, deaf studies, psychology, and public administration.

Roughly 77% of students at the university receive financial aid. Bachelor's degree programs cost $762 for both in-person and online students but are topped at $9,144 per semester for 12 to 18 credits.

The Washington, D.C., university is a federally chartered school specifically for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, but hearing students are welcome as well. In addition to the fully online degrees, the school offers online courses in American Sign Language (ASL).

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $18,382

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $20,144

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 61%

Retention Rate: 77%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It's headquartered in Adelphi, MD, just outside the nation's capital.

UMGC offers online programs from the associate degree through the doctoral level. Majors are available in fields like business administration, cybersecurity, education, and healthcare.

Maryland residents pay $324 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, while out-of-state residents pay $499 per credit. Around 62% of students at this fully online college receive financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $7,992

Out-of-State: $12,336

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $9,432

Out-of-State: $11,862

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 53%

Institution Type: Public online

Accreditation: MSCHE

Other Featured Online Schools

While there are some excellent Washington, D.C., online colleges, you can also attend great accredited colleges online from around the country, no matter where in the U.S. you live. Below, we've listed a few additional excellent online colleges.

Arizona State University

Students at Arizona State University can choose from hundreds of undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, humanities, information technology, and social sciences.

ASU, a public research university, is based in Tempe, AZ. It's accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and charges $580 per credit for all online undergraduate programs, regardless of the student's state of residence.

Columbia College

Columbia College offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online in fields like business, cybersecurity, healthcare management, and political science. The private nonprofit school is headquartered in Columbia, MO.

The college holds accreditation through the HLC, and online students receive the same high-quality education as on-campus students. Tuition for undergraduate degrees is $375 per credit hour.

Southern New Hampshire University

Over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs are available online at Southern New Hampshire University. Areas of study include criminal justice, information technology, liberal arts, and physical sciences.

SNHU, a nonprofit private school, is based in Manchester, NH. It's accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and charges a tuition rate of $330 per credit for online undergraduate programs.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools above, we started our methodology by using NCES and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard as sources. Then, we focused on schools that met the following criteria:

• Location: We started our initial list by focusing on schools within Washington, D.C., proper before expanding out to the D.C. area.
• Accreditation: Both lists contain only schools with regional accreditation.
• Type: We only included four-year public and nonprofit private colleges; we did not include community colleges or for-profit institutions.
• Online options: We then focused on schools that offered at least one bachelor's degree and strong support services for online learners.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in Washington, D.C.

There are both upsides and downsides to getting an online education. We've highlighted some pros and cons below.

Pros of earning an online degree:

• Flexible scheduling: Most online classes are asynchronous, meaning you complete your coursework at whatever time works for you.
• Location freedom: Learning online allows you to learn from wherever, whether that be at home, at the library, or while on the road.
• Greater variety of options: There aren't a lot of online bachelor's options within the city of D.C., but learning online allows you to choose from schools anywhere in the country.

Cons of earning an online degree

• Harder to focus: Some students find it more difficult to focus when learning at home versus when learning on campus.
• Difficulty connecting: It can be harder to forge connections with professors and other students when everything is virtual.
• Different format: Students who are used to traditional learning may struggle with the different format of online courses, which often require more readings and online discussion posts.

How To Choose the Best Online College in Washington, D.C.

With the option to attend some of the best colleges online, it can be hard to decide which online college is right for you. There are a few things to consider:

• Accreditation: Whatever school you choose needs to be accredited; look for regional accreditation as nationally accredited online colleges are not held to as high a standard.
• Major: The major you want to pursue may not be offered online at all colleges.
• Admissions requirements: Some colleges require only a high school diploma or equivalent, while others have more comprehensive application requirements like SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, or personal essays.
• Schedule: In addition to traditional, full-time semester or quarter schedules, online programs can also be offered in accelerated formats, part-time schedules, and even self-paced options.
• Cost: Costs can vary significantly between schools.
• Financial aid: You may find that some schools have financial aid packages that fit your needs, while others do not.

How Much Does an Online Degree Program in Washington, D.C., Cost?

Of the programs listed above, the tuition rate for online bachelor's degrees varies significantly, from $412 per credit at Georgetown to $975 per credit at GWU. However, the total amount you pay will depend on numerous factors, including what financial aid you qualify for.

Tips on How To Make Online College in Washington, D.C., More Affordable

Degrees in the D.C. area can be expensive, but there are a few ways to ensure you can lower your costs. The first is to choose a college that has a lower tuition rate. This can be tricky, but there are some affordable online colleges in Washington, D.C.

Another good way to make your degree affordable is to apply for financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this determines eligibility for federal and state programs as well as many institutional aid options.

Here are some resources for finding affordable online colleges:

• online colleges that accept FAFSA
• online colleges with payment plans
• online colleges that accept the Pell Grant
• online colleges that accept transfer credits
• online colleges with scholarships
• online colleges with no application fee

Washington, D.C., Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that you don't need to repay. Students in Washington, D.C., can take advantage of a few of these opportunities.

D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant

The D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) is a program run by the District of Columbia to help D.C. residents pay for their undergraduate degrees. Students can use this program at a variety of public and private schools across the country.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: August 15, 2025

District of Columbia Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate Program

The Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate Program (Mayor's Scholars) provides need-based funding for eligible D.C. residents earning their first associate or first bachelor's degree at select area colleges and universities. This is a last-dollar award, meaning it can be used to fill the gap between a student's financial aid package and the cost of attendance at their college or university.

Award Amount: Up to $4,000 per year

Deadline: August 15, 2025

Greater Washington Urban League Scholarship

The Greater Washington Urban League Scholarship provides financial assistance to residents of the service area of the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL). Students must be seeking a bachelor's degree, must demonstrate financial need, and must fall into one of the following categories: Black/African American, African, AfroCaribbean, and/or Afro-Latino.

Award Amount: Up to $8,000

Deadline: April 10, 2025

Top Majors for Washington, D.C., Graduates

According to the NCES, the most popular fields of study for Washington, D.C., graduates are:

• Business: Business majors can go on to find careers in fields like finance, human resources, marketing, and sales.
• Social sciences and history: Social sciences include topics like criminal justice and political science, both popular career fields in Washington, D.C.
• Humanities: Humanities is a wide field encompassing areas like arts, culture, and languages. A variety of career paths are available to students with these majors.
• Healthcare: Common healthcare majors for undergraduate students include nursing, health sciences, and healthcare administration.
• Natural sciences and mathematics: Degrees in natural sciences or mathematics can help students land jobs in academia, research, or fieldwork.

FAQs About Accredited Online Colleges in Washington, D.C.

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about accredited online colleges in Washington, D.C.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in Washington, D.C.?

Most bachelor's degrees take four years of full-time study to complete. However, some schools offer accelerated online degrees in Washington, D.C., that allow students to finish their program faster.

Are Any Online Colleges Worth It?

For many students, online college is worth it. It allows them to earn a high-quality degree in a flexible format, so they don't have to sacrifice work, family, or other responsibilities.

What Is the Easiest Online University To Get Into in Washington, D.C.?

Of the schools in the D.C. area, the easiest to get into is UMGC. It has an open admissions policy, meaning it accepts all students who meet the basic admissions requirements.

Which Online Colleges in Washington, D.C., Have the Highest Graduation Rates?

The college in Washington, D.C., with the highest graduation rate is Georgetown University, with a graduation rate of 94%. George Washington University is next with a graduation rate of 85%.

Discover Online Degrees for Learners in Washington, D.C.

Find the perfect online college for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.