Here are the top colleges that you should consider in Washington DC. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, acceptance rates, recent graduate salaries and more.
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Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 7,395 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 11.98%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $24,570. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1488.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Master’s Degree) – $63,005
- Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
- Area Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $57,705
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Master’s Degree) – $73,272
- Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $88,639
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. (Master’s Degree) – $97,367
- Engineering-Related Fields. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,563
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $119,805
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $118,650
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. (First Professional Degree) – $74,576
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,128
- English Language and Literature, General. (Master’s Degree) – $49,840
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,012
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Master’s Degree) – $63,997
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,847
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
- Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Master’s Degree) – $48,432
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. (Master’s Degree) – $31,851
- Biotechnology. (Master’s Degree) – $63,005
- Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,318
- Statistics. (Master’s Degree) – $90,856
- Biological and Physical Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,476
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Science, Technology and Society. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,913
- Science, Technology and Society. (Master’s Degree) – $64,493
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
- Philosophy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,585
- Homeland Security. (Master’s Degree) – $78,971
- Public Policy Analysis. (Master’s Degree) – $77,329
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,702
- Economics. (Master’s Degree) – $70,596
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,752
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $75,921
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,524
- Political Science and Government. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $70,176
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Master’s Degree) – $71,351
- Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $59,500
- Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $71,686
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $100,876
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $69,338
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $127,040
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $77,715
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $85,538
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Master’s Degree) – $96,183
- Human Resources Management and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $88,638
- International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,576
- Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $75,989
- Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,121
- Real Estate. (Master’s Degree) – $98,847
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
Georgetown University School Spirit
School spirit is a huge part of Georgetown University’s culture and traditions. Students and alumni are proud of their school, and they show this through the abundance of school pride. Georgetown University’s mascot is the Hoyas, and students often wear gear with the Hoyas logo. The university also has many sports teams, and students show up in large numbers to cheer on their fellow Hoyas. Beyond sports, Georgetown students are known for their passion for their academic programs and the university’s Jesuit values and traditions. The study body also celebrates Georgetown traditions such as Georgetown Day, a day-long celebration in the spring semester, and singing Georgetown’s alma mater, “Hail Alma Mater,” at the end of official events.
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George Washington University
George Washington University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 10,929 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 49.71%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,272. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1419.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 32.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,019
- Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,846
- Area Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $57,017
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
- Communication and Media Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $63,005
- Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Master’s Degree) – $64,608
- Publishing. (Master’s Degree) – $61,814
- Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,949
- Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $88,448
- Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,446
- Computer Science. (Master’s Degree) – $101,964
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $56,901
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $97,959
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $69,032
- International and Comparative Education. (Master’s Degree) – $52,607
- Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $57,125
- Special Education and Teaching. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $63,112
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $50,606
- Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $74,576
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $53,001
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $50,439
- Education, Other. (Master’s Degree) – $41,342
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $69,338
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,307
- Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,990
- Systems Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,576
- Systems Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $101,072
- Systems Engineering. (Doctoral Degree) – $146,893
- Engineering-Related Fields. (Master’s Degree) – $96,405
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $83,177
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $83,325
- Legal Support Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- English Language and Literature, General. (Master’s Degree) – $42,682
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,228
- Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. (Master’s Degree) – $50,606
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $65,053
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $67,101
- Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $71,015
- Museology/Museum Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
- Museology/Museum Studies. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $28,236
- Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,087
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,068
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $50,677
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Doctoral Degree) – $67,240
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Master’s Degree) – $78,612
- Security Science and Technology. (Master’s Degree) – $61,218
- Human Services, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,193
- Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $79,284
- Public Policy Analysis. (Master’s Degree) – $70,009
- Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,072
- Economics. (Master’s Degree) – $64,087
- Geography and Cartography. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,971
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,997
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $65,995
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,142
- Political Science and Government. (Master’s Degree) – $67,995
- Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,321
- Design and Applied Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $50,022
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,305
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Master’s Degree) – $23,351
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $18,315
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $36,674
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $65,486
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Master’s Degree) – $79,631
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $104,061
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $29,737
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Associate’s Degree) – $33,043
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Post-baccalaureate Certificate) – $53,775
- Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $59,350
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $64,679
- Public Health. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $104,192
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $49,019
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $72,516
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,875
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $101,254
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Doctoral Degree) – $127,142
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $104,192
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $114,046
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $60,161
- Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $69,948
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,214
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Master’s Degree) – $92,124
- Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $56,415
- Hospitality Administration/Management. (Master’s Degree) – $45,383
- Human Resources Management and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
- Human Resources Management and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $74,845
- Human Resources Management and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $106,421
- International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,706
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $106,421
- Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,673
George Washington University School Spirit
George Washington University offers a wide range of food options at their dining halls and various food outlets across campus. There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available, and they serve a variety of cuisines from around the world. Additionally, there are cafes and markets around campus that offer snacks and beverages. Overall, George Washington University provides a diverse and accommodating range of food choices for students.
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American University
American University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 8,158 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 64.09%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $28,037. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1381.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 31.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,992
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Master’s Degree) – $54,852
- Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,748
- Area Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $49,058
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,980
- Communication and Media Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $64,493
- Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,772
- Journalism. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Master’s Degree) – $52,941
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other. (Master’s Degree) – $55,964
- Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
- Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,635
- Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $63,600
- International and Comparative Education. (Master’s Degree) – $58,943
- Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $57,995
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,136
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $53,775
- Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate). (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,728
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $63,203
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $67,660
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $31,741
- Literature. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,563
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
- Statistics. (Master’s Degree) – $75,706
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,663
- Philosophy. (Master’s Degree) – $50,606
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,175
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Master’s Degree) – $60,399
- Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $74,953
- Public Policy Analysis. (Master’s Degree) – $60,771
- Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,933
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,494
- Economics. (Master’s Degree) – $69,338
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,469
- International Relations and National Security Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $63,692
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,655
- Political Science and Government. (Master’s Degree) – $46,087
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,025
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,896
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $38,906
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $32,569
- Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
- Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
- Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,725
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $99,458
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,014
- Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $69,338
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,512
- Taxation. (Master’s Degree) – $97,907
- History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,852
- History. (Master’s Degree) – $50,231
American University School Spirit
School spirit at American University is very strong and plays an important role in campus life. The school hosts many events and activities throughout the year to promote school spirit, such as pep rallies, tailgate parties, and sporting events. Students participate in traditions like painting the AU logo, wearing school colors, and “Eagle” hand signs to show their support for the university. Additionally, the university has a strong fan base for their basketball team and a popular mascot named “Clawed the Eagle.” Students and alumni also frequently support and participate in community service projects and events organized by the university, showcasing their school pride and commitment to making a positive impact.
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Howard University
Howard University is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 8,902 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 35.25%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $45,837. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1181.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 24.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,971
- Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,927
- Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,467
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Computer Systems Analysis. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $82,440
- Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $100,038
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $52,524
- Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $84,653
- Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
- Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $80,041
- Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
- Law. (First Professional Degree) – $58,152
- English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
- Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,896
- Theological and Ministerial Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
- Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
- Psychology, General. (Doctoral Degree) – $59,124
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Doctoral Degree) – $61,516
- Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,518
- Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
- Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
- Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
- Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $59,011
- Dentistry. (First Professional Degree) – $100,571
- Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $139,816
- Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $84,653
- Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. (Master’s Degree) – $70,456
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $106,421
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $91,744
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
- Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $56,888
- Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $121,694
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $69,547
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $97,959
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
- Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
- Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,485
- International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,478
- Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $70,456
- Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,667
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
Howard University School Spirit
Howard University is known for having a strong school spirit. Students pride themselves on being a part of the “Howard family” and participate in various traditions and activities to show their Bison pride. The annual homecoming week is a particularly exciting time for students, alumni, and the community to come together and show their support for the school. Additionally, the university’s athletics program also fosters school spirit, with the Bison football and basketball teams drawing enthusiastic crowds to games. Overall, Howard University has a vibrant and lively campus culture, with students who are proud to attend and support their school.
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Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 998 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 61.69%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $22,616. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 941.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 17.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Recent Graduate Salaries
(Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)
- American Sign Language. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
- American Sign Language. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
- Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
- Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
- Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $44,737
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $77,213
- Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $41,193
Gallaudet University School Spirit
School spirit is very strong at Gallaudet University! As the world’s only bilingual, exclusively deaf university, Gallaudet students and alumni are very proud of their institution, and this pride shows in their school spirit. There are many campus traditions and activities that foster a sense of community and school pride, including athletic events, homecoming and other cultural events, and clubs and organizations that bring students together. Gallaudet is also known for its vibrant deaf culture, which serves as the backbone of the university’s strong sense of community and school spirit.