A college degree can do wonders for those who can afford it. Bachelor’s degree holders earn more than $1 million more over those with only a high school diploma. But getting a degree is usually quite expensive, and often comes with the burden of student loans.
Did you know that the total average student loan debt in the U.S. is $40,681?
Now, imagine earning a top-quality Bachelor’s degree in Washington, DC without student loans. In a city known for its elite institutions and high costs, finding a truly affordable college can seem like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Fortunately, we’ve done the research for you. In this article, we rank the 7 most affordable colleges in Washington, DC. Our rankings evaluate tuition, books, and fees, and do not include living expenses which would be similar no matter which college you choose.
Methodology:
To provide a fair and consistent comparison of the overall affordability of the colleges in Washington DC, featured in this article, we used publicly available cost information from each institution’s official website. Here is how we calculated:
- Cost Per Credit:
We collected data on the tuition, fees, and book costs for each university. These figures were summed and the divided by the number of credits, stated on the website, e.g. 12 credits per semester. If the number of credits was not exact, we assumed a standard 15-credit semester.
- Total Cost for Tuition, Fees, and Books
To estimate the full cost of a Bachelor’s degree, we multiplied the calculated cost per credit by 120, the number of credits required to earn a BA degree.
These calculations were applied uniformly to each university, ensuring a transparent and consistent comparison of overall costs.Â
1. NewU University – The Most Affordable College in Washington, DC
NewU is the best kept secret in higher education, it seems. Having launched just a couple of years ago, NewU University is a private non-profit university, offering affordable Bachelor’s degrees.
Focused on first-generation, low-income students and value seekers, the school is the first in the US to introduce a 3-year bachelor’s degree program without summer semesters or extra classes per semester, aiming to help students graduate faster. This innovative model saves an entire year of time and money, and significantly reduces the overall cost to get a degree.
Without hidden fees, NewU takes the lead when it comes to transparency in pricing, providing tuition freeze and lowest tuition guarantee. Making it extremely helpful when it comes to budgeting.
With its focus on affordability and transparent pricing, NewU stands out as the #1 most affordable college in Washington, DC — making it an excellent choice for students who want quality education without loans and excess financial burden.
- Tuition (average): $2,500 per semester for 20 credits (based on actual student data)
- Fees (average): $750 per semester for 20 credits
- Books: $0 (provided digitally)
- Cost per Credit (average): $162.50
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 3-year Bachelor’s): $19,500
2. University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
- Fees (DC Residents): $861.00 per 12+ credits. *
- Books: Not specified. *
- Cost per credit: $393.63
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $47,236
3. University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
- Tuition (DC resident): $3,888 per 12 credits
- Fees (DC residents): $430 for 12 credits + $580 other fees per semester
- Books: Not specified. *
- Cost per Credit (posted): $408.16
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $48,980
4. University of the Potomac
- Tuition (average): $3,375 per semester for 12 credits
- Fees (average): $123.75 per course = $1,485 per semester per 12 credits + $100 registration fee per semester
- Books (average): $250 per semester
- Cost per Credit (average): $434.16
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $52,100
5. Gallaudet University
- Books: Not specified. *
- Cost per Credit: $655.26
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $78,632
6. Trinity Washington University
- Tuition (College of Arts & Science): $12,930 per semester for 12-18 credits
- Fees (College or Arts and Science): $125 health fee + $736 health insurance per semester
- Books: Not specified. *
- Cost per credit: $919.40
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $110,328
7. Howard University
- Fees (Undergraduate on-campus): $466 *
- Books: $1,360 *
- Cost per Credit: $2,478
- Total Tuition, Fees, and Books (for the full 4-year Bachelor’s): $297,360
Choosing the right college is about balancing affordability, quality, and future career opportunities. Washington DC boasts a diverse range of educational institutions, from affordable public universities to prestigious private colleges – each offering its own set of strengths.
NewU University stands out as the most affordable college in Washington DC, primarily due to its innovative 3-year degree model, allowing students to graduate faster while paying the lowest tuition fees. This makes NewU an ideal option for those who seek a modern and transparent pathway to success without the burden of excessive costs.
If you’re looking for a smart, affordable, and efficient way to earn your degree in one of the nation’s most dynamic cities, consider applying to NewU. With its unique approach to higher education, transparent fee structure, and accelerated program, NewU University provides a compelling opportunity to secure a quality education while keeping your financial future in check.
Discover more about the future of college affordability and NewU’s cost solutions. Â