2025 Guide To Top Online Colleges in District of Columbia
Are you in District of Columbia looking for an online college that best fits your needs? Start your search here.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide makes it easy to find information about schools offering online degrees in District of Columbia.
Get detailed information about colleges and universities with 100% online degree programs, including the number of distance-offered degree completions, student type, programs offered and more. In the end, you'll have an understanding of
what each school has to offer and which ones may be right for you. Click here to learn more about the guide.
District of Columbia's Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions in District of Columbia have been growing over the past 5 years.
In 2023, students completed 8,712 degree programs that were offered 100%
online by District of Columbia's colleges and universities. That
was an increase of 12% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. OnlineCompletions (Last 5 Years)
19:7788
20:8495
21:7610
22:8744
23:8712
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus
has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers
more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Adult Students
77%
Students 25+ 77
Students Under 25 23
Source: College Scorecard 2022
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving District of Columbia
There are at least 9 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving District of Columbia, where students completed
8,571 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 9 were private nonprofit
institutions and 1 was
a public school. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges
serving District of Columbia, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree
programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577 Accredited
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in District of Columbia. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate69Bachelor's801Master's313Doctoral17
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate13Bachelor's106Master's31Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's157Master's128Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's163Master's10Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's44Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's31Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's10Doctoral6
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's50Master's49Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$33,344 Accredited
Yes
Howard University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Howard University. In 2023, 194 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 71 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
11%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
265
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 194
Doctoral: 71
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's90Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's28Doctoral71
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's76Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$56,543 Accredited
Yes
American University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
American University. In 2023, 1,396 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 28 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
31%
Online Offerings1,4243,166
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,424
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 1,396
Doctoral: 28
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's207Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's37Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's78Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's522Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's131Doctoral28
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's26Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's104Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's29Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's220Doctoral0
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's42Doctoral0
Institute of World Politics
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Institute of World Politics is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and most programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Institute of World Politics. In 2023, 36 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
90%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
36
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 36
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's36Doctoral0
George Washington University
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$64,798 Accredited
Yes
George Washington University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
George Washington University. In 2023, 2,362 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 80 bachelor's degrees, and 130 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
29%
Online Offerings2,5726,155
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,572
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 80
Master's: 2,362
Doctoral: 130
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's48Master's849Doctoral32
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's61Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's457Doctoral15
EngineeringAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's167Doctoral7
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's22Master's195Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's120Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's157Doctoral0
Biological and Biomedical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's71Doctoral0
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/TechniciansAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's113Doctoral52
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's23Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's149Doctoral24
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$19,658 Accredited
Yes
Gallaudet University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Gallaudet University. In 2023, 51 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
13%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
51
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 51
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's30Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's21Master's0Doctoral0
The Catholic University of America
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$55,834 Accredited
Yes
The Catholic University of America is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
The Catholic University of America. In 2023, 129 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 15 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
11%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
144
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 129
Doctoral: 15
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's57Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's29Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's10Doctoral15
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's4Doctoral0
Library ScienceAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's29Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$65,081 Accredited
Yes
Georgetown University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Georgetown University. In 2023, 1,808 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 22 bachelor's degrees, and 26 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Online Offerings1,8566,235
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,856
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 22
Master's: 1,808
Doctoral: 26
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's562Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's184Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's253Doctoral26
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's22Master's0Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's166Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's157Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's186Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's55Doctoral0
Military Technologies and Applied SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's182Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's63Doctoral0
Trinity Washington University
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$26,110 Accredited
Yes
Trinity Washington University is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Trinity Washington University. In 2023, 37 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 15 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
12%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
52
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 37
Master's: 15
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
For-Profit Online Colleges in District of Columbia
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities in District of Columbia here. According to 2022 data from
the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there was 3 for-profit 4-year school
in District of Columbia where students completed 2,305 distance education degree programs.
Source Details University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,660 Accredited
Yes
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus is an institutionally accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus. In 2023, 35 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 8 bachelor's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
45
Associate: 1
Bachelor's: 8
Master's: 35
Doctoral: 1
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Strayer University-Global Region
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$13,920 Accredited
Yes
Strayer University-Global Region is an institutionally accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Strayer University-Global Region. In 2023, 993 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 484 associate degrees, 671 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,148
Associate: 484
Bachelor's: 671
Master's: 993
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate397Bachelor's487Master's885Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate87Bachelor's114Master's41Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's11Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's70Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's19Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's37Doctoral0
Strayer University-District of Columbia
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$13,920 Accredited
Yes
Strayer University-District of Columbia is an institutionally accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
part-time. Most of the students are
adults and all programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Strayer University-District of Columbia. In 2023, 54 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 26 associate degrees, 32 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
112
Associate: 26
Bachelor's: 54
Master's: 32
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate21Bachelor's26Master's19Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate5Bachelor's12Master's3Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's2Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's1Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's7Doctoral0
Affordable Online Colleges in District of Columbia
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree in District of Columbia? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at District of Columbia's 4-year nonprofit schools is $41,368. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools in District of Columbia is $11,500, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
Accredited
Online Colleges Serving District of Columbia
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your
education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews
to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in District of Columbia is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving District of Columbia here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Online Nonprofit Colleges Serving District of Columbia
- Franklin University
- American University
- The Catholic University of America
- Gallaudet University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Howard University
- Trinity Washington University
- Institute of World Politics
Accredited Online For-Profit Colleges Serving District of Columbia
- University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus
- Strayer University-District of Columbia
- Strayer University-Global Region
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