Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Value Trade Schools in District Of Columbia
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in District Of Columbia? Our ranking highlights 23 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed 5 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 23 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in District Of Columbia
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of The District Of Columbia tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Trade degree schools in District Of Columbia. This public school is set in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. University Of The District Of Columbia alumni report median earnings of $44,236 a decade after entry. Set against $32,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full University Of The District Of Columbia report
Out of the 5 schools in District Of Columbia in this year's value ranking, Trinity Washington University landed the #2 spot. Set in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,610. Trinity Washington University Trade students take on a median of $31,194 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,804 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. More on Trinity Washington University
You'll get strong value at Georgetown University, which ranked #3 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $16,483. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%. More on Georgetown University
You'll get strong value at Howard University, which ranked #4 this year. Howard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,066. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%. Read more about Howard University
Out of the 5 schools in District Of Columbia in this year's value ranking, George Washington University landed the #5 spot. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Trade program debt is $22,910. Median earnings reach $90,873 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 47% of those who apply are admitted. See the full George Washington University profile
Gallaudet University placed #6 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. More on Gallaudet University
Saint Michael College Of Allied Health placed #7 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. See the full Saint Michael College Of Allied Health profile
The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. Get the full The Salon Professional Academy Washington Dc report
Institute Of World Politics placed #9 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. Get the full Institute Of World Politics report
Catholic University Of America ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Catholic University Of America
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Read the full report on National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
Bennett Career Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. More on Bennett Career Institute
Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family placed #13 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. More on Pontifical John Paul Ii Institute For Studies On Marriage And Family
Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read more about Pontifical Faculty Of The Immaculate Conception At The Dominican House Of Studies
Potomac College Washington placed #15 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. Get the full Potomac College Washington report
Newu University
Newu University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Get the full Newu University report
Strayer University District Of Columbia landed the #17 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Read the full report on Strayer University District Of Columbia
Wesley Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. Get the full Wesley Theological Seminary report
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Washington Dc profile
American University placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in District Of Columbia. Get the full American University report
Windsor University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on Windsor University
Career Technical Institute landed the #22 spot for value in District Of Columbia this year. See the full Career Technical Institute profile
Strayer University Global Region ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Strayer University Global Region
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 5 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.