List of universities within 50 miles of DMV that made top 100

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Want to know which university near the DMV area you should send your kid to?

U.S. News analyzed more than 1,500 universities and provided rankings for 2026 using various methodologies. Whether it’s cost, test scores or majors that are important factors in what school to choose, the U.S. News report analyzes it all, and can even show you how you compare.

Here are some universities within 50 miles of Washington, D.C. that made the top 100.

John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

Ranking: No. 7.

Located just outside the DMV area in Baltimore, Md., the institution was founded in 1876. The school’s tuition and fees are $67,170, with 52% of first-year students receiving need-based financial aid.

Over the four-year curriculum, around 87% of students graduate. The school also received a No. 12 ranking for Best Value Schools and ranked 13th in engineering programs and No. 1 in biomedical. With a 6% acceptance rate, accepted students averaged around 1520-1570 for SAT and 34-36 for ACT.

The average annual cost after aid is $20,820. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $86,306.

Georgetown University, Washington D.C.

Ranking: No. 24.

A private institution that was founded in 1789. It’s ranked No. 13 in lowest acceptance rates. The median salary six years after graduation is $83,222. Georgetown University doesn’t accept the Common Application. Tuition and fees go around $71,338.

The average SAT Range was 1390-1550 with an ACT range of 31-35. Twenty-nine percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $35,965. Families making anywhere from $0-$30,000 have an average cost of $5,070, whereas the higher end at more than $110,001 pays more than $50,000 on average.

Georgetown ranks well in International Business and service learning.

University of Maryland, College Park, Md.

Ranking: No. 42.

A public institution that was founded in 1856, the University of Maryland has an acceptance rate of 45%. The average scores for SAT and ACT are 1390-1530 and 32-35, respectively.

The university ranks in the top 25 for best undergraduate engineering programs and top 10 in cybersecurity.

University of Maryland, College Park’s tuition is $11,809 for in-state and $41,186 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,422, the University of Maryland, College Park is cheaper.

The No. 1 major for graduates is Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services at 21% in 2024.

George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Ranking: No. 59.

Founded in 1821, the private university also ranked No. 47 in terms of lowest acceptance rates.

The SAT ranges from 1350-1500, and the ACT ranges from 30-34, with a 47% acceptance rate. The university ranks No. 5 for International Business.

The student-faculty ratio is 13:1. The school’s tuition and fees are $70,170. Forty-two percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $34,462.

The four-year graduation rate is 76%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $71,607.

American University, Washington, D.C.

Ranking: No. 88.

The private institution was founded in 1893.

It’s also ranked No. 55 in Best Colleges for Veterans. Tuition and fees are $61,992.

SAT and ACT scores range from 1280-1450 and ACT 29-32 with a 62% acceptance rate.

Forty-six percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $43,412.

The four-year graduation rate is 68%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $61,328.

Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Tied with American University, Howard University is also ranked No. 88 and is a private institution that was founded in 1867.

Ranks No. 2 for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ranks in top 20 for Best undergraduate teaching. The school’s tuition and fees are $38,936. Seventy-two percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $45,180.

The four-year graduation rate is 60%. Six years after graduation, graduates have a median salary of $47,379.