The Best Business Schools in DC for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Schools in DC
- University of Maryland-College Park ranks #1 in the Washington DC area on a 97.8 Program Score, with an 89% graduation rate.
- Georgetown University graduates the most students on this list (95%), from #2.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, University of Maryland Global Campus, ranks #7.
- Programs analyzed
- 202
- Schools ranked
- 11
- Tuition range
- $10,087-$67,896
- Average graduation rate
- 62%
We analyzed 202 accredited business programs in Washington DC and the surrounding metro and ranked 11 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 11 ranked schools runs from $7,776 to $67,896 a year, a $60,120 spread for the same credential.
University of Maryland-College Park leads with a 97.8 Program Score on an 89% graduation rate, at $10,087 a year. Across all 11 ranked business schools in DC the average graduation rate is 62%, ranging from 33% to 95%. 3 of the 11 are public and 8 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Business Schools in DC, Compared by Score
Maryland-College Park leads at 97.8, and Strayer-Maryland closes the chart at 68.8. Longer bars rank higher.
Our Methodology for Ranking Business Schools in DC
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 11 Best Business Schools in DC, Ranked for 2027
The 11 best Business Schools in DC, ranked by outcomes.
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
- Grad rate
- 89%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- In-state
- $10,087
- Out-of-state
- $39,464
Three core courses in consumer analysis, marketing research and marketing strategy anchor an 18-credit major with electives from digital marketing to marketing internship.
- 89% graduation rate
- Program Score 97.8
- $10,087 in-state tuition
- Digital marketing and internship electives
The marketing major at the University of Maryland sits in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, with admission to the major governed by the school's requirements. The catalog describes marketing as a field that develops programs for non-profit, business-to-business and consumer-facing organizations, and lists careers in sales, advertising, retailing, product and service management, and marketing research. The junior-senior curriculum totals 18 credits. Every major takes Consumer Analysis, Marketing Research Methods and Marketing Policies and Strategies. Students then choose three electives such as Customer-Centric Innovation, Retail Management, Marketing Internship, Integrated Marketing Communications, Global Marketing, Sales Management or Digital Marketing. The catalog notes the major is also offered at The Universities at Shady Grove in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Maryland graduates 89% of its students and admits 45% of applicants. Tuition is $10,087 for in-state students and $39,464 for out-of-state students. The program has a Program Score of 97.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. It suits students who want a broad marketing foundation with room to lean toward digital, sales or retail, and who value the price of a public flagship if they live in Maryland.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 95%
- Admit rate
- 13%
- In-state
- $67,896
- Out-of-state
- $67,896
Georgetown University's international business major offers two tracks, one of which requires study abroad or an internationally focused internship.
- 95% graduation rate
- Program Score 97.3
- $67,896 tuition
- Language proficiency requirement
Georgetown University's international business major, part of the McDonough School of Business, prepares students to work across markets and cultures. Students choose between two majors. International Business Regional Studies focuses on the politics and economics of one geographic region, with two area courses. International Political Economy and Business takes a global view of trade, includes International Trade, and requires either a study abroad program or an internationally focused internship. Each major requires 18 credits outside the language requirement, and students must reach intermediate-level language proficiency, which means at least 12 credits or four semesters when starting at a beginning level, and up to 24 credits for languages such as Chinese and Arabic. Core courses include International Business and Advanced International Business. The Global Business Experience, an application-only course, counts toward both tracks.
Georgetown has a 95% graduation rate and admits 13% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition is $67,896. The program's Program Score of 97.3 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who are ready to commit to language study and international coursework, and who want a regional or political-economy angle on business.
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 47%
- In-state
- $67,420
- Out-of-state
- $67,420
George Washington University's Bachelor of Science in Business requires a concentration, with 11 options from accountancy to real estate, inside a 120-credit degree.
- 84% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.7
- $67,420 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Required concentration from 11 options
The Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) at George Washington University is the school's general management degree, with room to specialize. The degree requires at least 120 credits, including general education, School of Business requirements and 36 credits in business major courses. The business core covers financial and managerial accounting, marketing, financial management, operations, information systems, ethics and the legal environment, strategy, and international business. Students also complete Business Leader Foundations, Career Strategy and Launch courses. Every BSB student must choose a School of Business concentration by the second semester of sophomore year, from accountancy, business analytics, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, international business, marketing strategy and analytics, real estate, sport, event, and hospitality management, and others. Students can also add a minor or second major, and about 34 elective credits are available to do so, 18 of which must come from outside the business school.
The school's federal figures are strong. GW graduates 84% of its students and admits 47% of applicants, so entry is selective but not extreme. Tuition is $67,420, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The program's Program Score is 96.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The degree fits students who want a broad business foundation first and a specialty second, and who value being able to pair business with a second major or minor from elsewhere at GW.
Howard University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 41%
- In-state
- $35,344
- Out-of-state
- $35,344
Howard University's marketing BBA culminates in learning goals that include designing a marketing plan and building marketing research skills.
- 70% graduation rate
- Program Score 93.8
- $35,344 tuition
- Marketing plan design goal
Howard University's Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing is run by the Department of Marketing in the School of Business. The program says it gives students breadth across the field of marketing and depth in each major subspecialty, so that graduates can work in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in a market-oriented economy. Coursework is described as regularly updated to reflect current practice. Stated learning goals include defining marketing terms and concepts, identifying the role of marketing mix variables, integrating ethical and social dimensions of the market, demonstrating proficient marketing research and management skills, making basic marketing decisions and designing a marketing plan for a business. The department says its faculty conduct research across marketing subspecialties, and the school reports that its degrees are assessed under AACSB standards.
Howard has a 70% graduation rate and admits 41% of applicants. In-state and out-of-state tuition is $35,344. The program's Program Score of 93.8 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a broad marketing foundation with research and planning skills, taught by a research-active department.
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $10,392
- Out-of-state
- $34,860
George Mason University's BS in Business lets students choose from eight concentrations, including financial planning and wealth management and operations and supply chain management.
- Program Score 85.4
- $10,392 in-state tuition
- Eight concentrations
- 68% graduation rate
George Mason University's Bachelor of Science in Business is offered by the Costello College of Business. Students can focus the degree with one or more of eight undergraduate concentrations: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Financial Planning and Wealth Management, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. Students who are undecided can apply as "Still exploring business" and get help choosing a concentration. The college has its own Office of Student Success and Academic Services and Office of Career Services, and the page lists business minors as an add-on. The page describes the degree as preparation for a changing marketplace, whether or not a student already knows a career path.
George Mason has a 68% graduation rate and an 87% admit rate. In-state tuition is $10,392 a year and out-of-state tuition is $34,860. The Program Score behind this ranking is 85.4 out of 100. The program fits students who want a broad business foundation from a large public university and prefer to choose a specialty after seeing the coursework. The wide set of concentrations makes it easy to pair a practical field such as accounting or analytics with a second one.
Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $56,930
- Out-of-state
- $56,930
Catholic University's B.S.B.A. requires at least one specialization from a menu of seven, with four co-specializations such as accounting and data analytics.
- 79% graduation rate
- Program Score 85
- 7 specializations
- 4 co-specializations
The Catholic University of America offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) of about 120 credit hours. Every student must pick at least one specialization, a five course sequence, from Finance, Marketing, Sales, Markets and Political Economy, People and Organizations, Technology and Operations Management, or International Business. Students can double or triple specialize. Four course co-specializations in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Sports Management and Data Analytics for Business can be added, but only alongside a main specialization. The school describes the degree as grounded in virtue, and sample courses include Foundations of Business and Markets and Prosperity.
The program's Program Score is 85 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Federal data shows a 79% graduation rate and an 83% admit rate. Tuition is $56,930 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The university enrolls 5,243 students in Washington, DC. This degree fits students who want to shape a business major around a specific focus, or combine two, and who value a Catholic liberal arts setting. It is a high-cost private option, so financial aid is worth checking.
University of Maryland GlobalOnline Program
Adelphi, MD · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 36-credit online Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management that University of Maryland Global says is recognized by the Institute of Internal Auditors and the ACFE.
- Open admission
- Program Score 82.7
- 36 credits, fully online
- Transfer up to 12 credits
University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management, a 36-credit program with all courses available online and some hybrid options. Students can transfer up to 12 credits. The curriculum has a non-credit orientation course, 12 credits in accounting, 12 in financial management, 9 in electives and a 3-credit capstone. Core courses include Financial Reporting and Analysis for Accountants, Managerial Accounting Data Analytics, Tax Compliance and Planning, Auditing and Attestation, Fintech and Decision Making and Strategic Financial Management. UMGC reports recognition from the Institute of Internal Auditors through its Internal Audit Academic Alliance and from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners through its Anti-Fraud Education Partnership. The school states the program is not specifically designed to prepare students for the CPA license.
UMGC is open admission, and federal data show a 33% graduation rate, which reflects a large online population of working adults. The program has a Program Score of 82.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. It fits working professionals who want to move into executive-level accounting and finance decisions, particularly those interested in internal audit or fraud examination, rather than students whose main goal is CPA licensure.
Strayer University-Virginia
Arlington, VA · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 36%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $13,725
- Out-of-state
- $13,725
Strayer's Bachelor of Science in Accounting is an open-admission degree with a flat $13,725 tuition for in-state and out-of-state students alike.
- Program Score 69.9
- Open admission
- $13,725 tuition, in-state and out-of-state
- Covers taxation, auditing and managerial accounting
Strayer University-Virginia offers a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The school describes the program's objectives as giving students broad, fundamental knowledge of the field, preparing them for accounting careers, and adding a liberal arts component that builds communication, information literacy and critical analysis. The skills it lists include applying U.S. and international accounting principles across for-profit, governmental and not-for-profit entities, aligning accounting systems with an organization's business functions, applying taxation practices for federal and state compliance, analyzing auditing processes and internal controls, and preparing managerial accounting reports for decisions. The program also stresses ethical decision-making. The page is a career exploration guide and does not state credit hours, concentrations or a CPA licensure path, so students should check the course list with Strayer directly.
Federal data shows Strayer-Virginia is an open-admission school, so no admit rate applies. Its graduation rate is 36%, which is worth weighing against the flexibility the school offers. Tuition is $13,725 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, so residency does not change the price. The program's Program Score of 69.9 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The degree fits adults who want an accounting credential without a competitive admissions process, and students who value a single published tuition figure. Those aiming for licensure should confirm state CPA education requirements separately.
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 58%
- In-state
- $18,288
- Out-of-state
- $18,288
A B.S. in accounting with a required internship and an online degree-completion route for working adults.
- 47% graduation rate
- Program Score 69
- $18,288 in-state tuition
- Required internship
Gallaudet University's B.S. in Accounting covers accounting theory and practice, with coursework in financial accounting, managerial accounting, business analytics and financial statement analysis. Students learn to prepare and interpret financial statements under GAAP and use industry-standard software, and a required internship adds practical experience. Faculty advisors work with students who want to become CPAs to plan the coursework for the exam's educational requirements. The page lists ACBSP accreditation and an on-campus format, and the 2025-2026 requirements summary totals 128 credits. Entry to the major requires a 2.5 GPA and a grade of C+ or better in BUS 101 and BUS 181. An Online Degree Completion Program offers the same degree online for students who have already completed some college coursework.
Federal figures show a 47% graduation rate and a 58% admit rate at Gallaudet University. Tuition is $18,288 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program has a Program Score of 69 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a small-campus accounting degree with a built-in internship, and adults with prior credits who need the online completion route. Applicants should plan to meet the major's GPA and prerequisite requirements.
Strayer University-Maryland
Suitland, MD · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 38%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $13,725
- Out-of-state
- $13,725
Strayer's online Bachelor of Science in Accounting pairs a broad accounting core with coursework in taxation, auditing and managerial accounting, at a school with open admission.
- Open admission
- Program Score 68.8
- $13,725 in-state and out-of-state tuition
- Online accounting BS
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Strayer University-Maryland is built to give students a broad, fundamental knowledge of the field and prepare them for accounting careers. The school describes a strong liberal arts component meant to build communication skills, information literacy and critical analysis. Stated learning outcomes include applying U.S. and international accounting principles, taxation theory and practice, and auditing methods for internal controls. Students also prepare and interpret managerial accounting data for business decisions and work through ethical decision-making. The program is offered online, and the school reports accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Strayer is an open admission school, so there is no selective admit rate to clear. The federal graduation rate is 38%, which is worth weighing against the flexibility of the online format. Tuition is listed at $13,725 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, so residency does not change the price. The program earns a Program Score of 68.8 out of 100 on the ranking that sorts these programs. Strayer-Maryland suits working adults and career changers who want an accessible route to an accounting degree and who can manage coursework independently. Students aiming for CPA licensure should confirm their state board's education requirements directly, since the program page does not describe a 150-hour pathway.
Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 43%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $26,350
- Out-of-state
- $26,350
Capitol Technology University's Bachelor of Science in Technology and Business Management pairs business coursework with information systems, data analytics, programming and AI, with a Program Score of 68.2.
- Program Score 68.2
- 43% graduation rate
- $26,350 in-state tuition
- Technology plus business management curriculum
Capitol Technology University offers a Bachelor of Science in Technology and Business Management, a degree that joins two disciplines: technology and business management. The page describes a curriculum spanning information systems, data analytics, computer programming, artificial intelligence, project management, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and strategic management. It frames the degree around innovation, training students to use technology to build new business solutions. Capitol lists roles such as IT project manager, business analyst, data scientist, product manager, technology consultant and startup founder as destinations for graduates.
The federal numbers show a school with moderate selectivity. Capitol admits 74% of applicants and graduates 43% of its students. This program holds a Program Score of 68.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. In-state tuition is $26,350, the same as the out-of-state rate, since the school is private. The degree fits students who want a business foundation with a strong technical layer, particularly those aiming at project management, analytics or product roles inside technology-driven organizations rather than a traditional finance or marketing track.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Schools in DC
The median school on this list graduates 68% of its students. The highest rates belong to Georgetown University (95%) and University of Maryland-College Park (89%). The top graduation rate is not at the #1 school, because the score also weighs selectivity, cost, and earnings.
- #2 Georgetown University95% graduation rate
- #1 University of Maryland-College Park89% graduation rate
- #3 George Washington University84% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Schools in DC?
On this list, 3 of 11 schools are open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 4 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Georgetown University at 13%.
- #2 Georgetown University13% admitted
- #4 Howard University41% admitted
- #1 University of Maryland-College Park45% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Online Options Among the Business Schools in DC
Of the 11 schools ranked here, 5 offer distance education. The highest ranked is George Mason University, at #5.
- #5 George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
- #7 University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD
- #8 Strayer University-VirginiaArlington, VA
- #10 Strayer University-MarylandSuitland, MD
- #11 Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel, MD
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the Business Schools in DC
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,065 at Capitol Technology University to 63,012 at University of Maryland Global Campus. Of the 11, 5 enroll 20,000 students or more and 4 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Schools in DC Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Maryland-College ParkMaryland-College Park | $93,782 | $14,296 |
| #2 | Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown | $159,452 | $33,661 |
| #4 | Howard UniversityHoward | $77,820 | $33,002 |
| #5 | George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason | $85,224 | $14,697 |
| #6 | The Catholic University of AmericaCatholic University of America | $87,907 | $32,543 |
| #7 | University of Maryland Global CampusUMGC | $106,763 | $23,144 |
| #8 | Strayer University-VirginiaStrayer-Virginia | $66,108 | $17,213 |
| #10 | Strayer University-MarylandStrayer-Maryland | $66,108 | $17,773 |
Graduates of Georgetown earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $159,452; the lowest figure here is $66,108 at Strayer-Maryland.
Maryland-College Park, the highest-ranked of these schools (#1), comes in at $93,782.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $14,296 a year at Maryland-College Park to $33,661 at Georgetown.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What Business Schools in DC Cost
Tuition across the 11 ranked schools runs from $7,776 to $67,896 a year. University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi anchors the low end at $7,776 a year, while Georgetown University in Washington sits at the top at $67,896. The cheapest public option among the business schools in DC is University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi at $7,776; the cheapest private is Strayer University-Virginia in Arlington at $13,725.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $31,104 in tuition at University of Maryland Global Campus against about $271,584 at Georgetown University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Washington DC from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Which Business Major to Choose in DC
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in DC do not all offer the same ones. Across the 202 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Washington DC are business administration (21 schools), accounting (18 schools), human resources (14 schools), healthcare administration (13 schools), finance (8 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: most states now license CPAs on either 150 credit hours and one year of experience or a bachelor's and two years, so the choice between a fifth year of school and a longer apprenticeship shapes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 18 of the schools analyzed in Washington DC run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in DC
3 of the 11 ranked business schools in DC are public and 8 are private, and that split drives most of the $60,120 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi charges $7,776 in-state and $11,976 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Why Study Business in Washington DC
The 11 ranked schools sit across 7 towns in the metro, among them College Park, Washington, Fairfax, and the table names the city of each, so check the commute before assuming a suburban campus is the convenient option. 5 of the 11 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions About Business Schools in DC
What is the best business school in Washington DC?
By Program Score, University of Maryland-College Park ranks first among the 11 ranked business schools in DC, with a 97.8 score and an 89% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Washington DC?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in DC, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Washington DC?
Tuition among the ranked Washington DC schools runs from $5,292 to $67,896 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Washington DC living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in DC does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 202 accredited business programs across Washington DC and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 11 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the DC metro, so some schools sit in Maryland or Virginia; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth studying business in Washington DC instead of online?
5 of the 11 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Washington DC this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $7,776 in-state, University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.