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 2022, students completed 8,744 degree programs that were offered 100%
online by District of Columbia's colleges and universities. That
was an increase of 36% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2022
Est. OnlineCompletions (Last 5 Years)
18:6426
19:7788
20:8495
21:7610
22:8744
Estimate derived from 2022 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™ 2022 (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 8 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving District of Columbia, where students completed
8,182 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 8 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 2022, 1,011 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,820
Associate: 94
Bachelor's: 1,011
Master's: 676
Doctoral: 39
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate64Bachelor's631Master's402Doctoral21
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate18Bachelor's89Master's24Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate3Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate5Bachelor's107Master's101Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate4Bachelor's54Master's11Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's28Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's16Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's34Doctoral0
Visual and Performing ArtsAssociate0Bachelor's17Master's0Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's18Doctoral3
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's49Master's58Doctoral0
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 all programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Institute of World Politics. In 2022, 31 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
35
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 31
Doctoral: 4
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's31Doctoral4
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$31,050 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 2022, 115 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 62 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
9%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
177
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 115
Doctoral: 62
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's48Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral60
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's67Doctoral2
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$17,712 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 2022, 43 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
11%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
43
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 43
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's24Master's0Doctoral0
The Catholic University of America
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$54,186 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 2022, 155 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
11%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
163
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 155
Doctoral: 8
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's111Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's7Doctoral8
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's6Doctoral0
Library ScienceAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's31Doctoral0
George Washington University
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$60,946 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 2022, 2,573 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 9 associate degrees, 112 bachelor's degrees, and 126 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
32%
Online Offerings2,8205,878
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,820
Associate: 9
Bachelor's: 112
Master's: 2,573
Doctoral: 126
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate9Bachelor's68Master's838Doctoral28
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's14Master's75Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's374Doctoral0
EngineeringAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's181Doctoral18
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's28Master's195Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's96Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's455Doctoral0
Biological and Biomedical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's2Master's91Doctoral0
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/TechniciansAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's83Doctoral52
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's27Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's158Doctoral28
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$53,889 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 2022, 1,197 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 212 bachelor's degrees, and 13 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
33%
Online Offerings1,4222,837
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,422
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 212
Master's: 1,197
Doctoral: 13
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's212Master's223Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's46Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's65Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's380Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's139Doctoral13
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's32Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's64Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's51Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's155Doctoral0
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's42Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$62,051 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 2022, 1,683 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Online Offerings1,7025,858
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,702
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 1,683
Doctoral: 19
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's509Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's173Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's254Doctoral19
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's146Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's190Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's140Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's53Doctoral0
Military Technologies and Applied SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's149Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's69Doctoral0
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 2,378 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 2022, 46 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 2 associate degrees, 7 bachelor's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
56
Associate: 2
Bachelor's: 7
Master's: 46
Doctoral: 1
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's7Master's42Doctoral1
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's0Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's4Doctoral0
Strayer University-Global Region
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$13,515 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 2022, 1,145 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 395 associate degrees, 656 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,196
Associate: 395
Bachelor's: 656
Master's: 1,145
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate336Bachelor's534Master's1038Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate59Bachelor's83Master's42Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's1Master's15Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's38Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's24Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's26Doctoral0
Strayer University-District of Columbia
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$13,515 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 2022, 74 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 17 associate degrees, 35 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2022 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
126
Associate: 17
Bachelor's: 74
Master's: 35
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2022
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate16Bachelor's45Master's17Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate1Bachelor's19Master's6Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's2Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's4Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's6Doctoral0
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 $41,344. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools in District of Columbia is $11,230, 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
- 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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