The Best MBA Programs in the District of Columbia for 2027
Key Points: Best MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
- Georgetown University ranks #1 in the District of Columbia on a 96.2 Program Score, with a 95% graduation rate.
- Every school on this list is private.
- George Washington University follows at #2 with a 93.3 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 7
- Average graduation rate
- 67%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $105,770
We analyzed 7 business programs in the District of Columbia on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where an MBA actually pays off.
Georgetown University tops the list with a 96.2 Program Score on a 95% graduation rate. Across all 7 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 67%, ranging from 14% to 95%. The national median pay in the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
MBA Programs in the District of Columbia, Compared by Score
Georgetown leads at 96.2, and Trinity Washington closes the chart at 62.5. Longer bars rank higher.
Our Methodology for Ranking MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
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 7 Best MBA Programs in the District of Columbia, Ranked for 2027
The 7 best MBA Programs in the District of Columbia, ranked by outcomes.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 95%
- Admit rate
- 13%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Georgetown University offers its MBA as Full-time, Part-time and Flex Online tracks, with a Global Business Experience consulting course and a 220,000+ alumni network.
- 95% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.2
- 13% admit rate
- Full-time, Part-time and Online formats
Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration in several formats: a Full-time MBA, a Part-time MBA available in person or online, and an Online MBA that combines virtual classes with two week-long residencies in Washington, D.C. The school says students can personalize their core courses, choose electives aligned with the future of work, and gain international experience through real-world consulting in the Global Business Experience. The curriculum puts early emphasis on leadership "power skills," ethical decision-making and AI fluency. Career support comes from the McDonough Career Center, which offers individualized coaching, recruitment events and treks. The school reports that 78% of its Full-time MBA class of 2025 received a job offer within three months of graduation, and it points to a global alumni network of more than 220,000 professionals. Admissions run in rounds, with several application deadlines each year.
Georgetown has a 95% graduation rate and admits 13% of applicants, so the program is highly selective. Its Program Score of 96.2 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. The program fits applicants who want a choice among full-time, part-time and online formats, and who value a Washington, D.C. location with access to policy and industry leaders. Because admission is competitive, applicants should plan for the round-based deadlines and the application components the school lists.
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 84%
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
George Washington University's MBA comes in four formats, from a 53-credit full-time Global MBA to a 46.5-credit online option.
- 84% graduation rate
- Program Score 93.3
- 47% admit rate
- Flex, Global, Online and Healthcare formats
The Master of Business Administration at George Washington University's School of Business is offered as several distinct programs. The Flex MBA is 46.5 credits and can be taken part- or full-time, on campus, online or both. The Global MBA is a full-time, 53-credit, STEM-designated program built around the Consulting Abroad Program. The Online MBA is 46.5 credits, part- or full-time, with live discussions and case studies, and the Online Healthcare MBA is a part-time, 46.5-credit track with health services electives. Students can add more than 15 certificates and choose from over 200 electives, and joint and dual degrees are available. The school says the curriculum stresses ethics, corporate citizenship and a global perspective, and uses its Washington, D.C. location for contact with the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
GW graduates 84% of its students and admits 47% of applicants. The MBA's Program Score is 93.3 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. The program fits working professionals who want to choose between campus, online and hybrid study, and full-time students who want an international cohort experience. Candidates should compare the four formats closely, since credit counts and delivery differ.
American University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 62%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A sustainability-focused MBA at Kogod that can be paired with an MS in Sustainability Management in two years.
- 75% graduation rate
- Program Score 89.2
- MBA + MS Sustainability Management option
- International consulting project
American University runs this MBA through its Kogod School of Business, and the page builds it around sustainability and artificial intelligence. Courses blend traditional MBA material with sustainability concepts, students work on real-world projects with organizations committed to sustainability, and an international consulting project gives them experience with clients abroad. A dual option combines the MBA with an MS in Sustainability Management, earning two degrees in two years, with electives in business, environment or policy tracks. The page also points to career guidance on resumes, job searches and interview preparation, and to an alumni network of more than 23,000 graduates. The Washington, DC location is presented as a source of internship and networking access across government, finance and media.
Federal figures show a 75% graduation rate and a 62% admit rate at American University. The MBA holds a Program Score of 89.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits professionals who want a general management degree with a sustainability angle and who value proximity to policy and government institutions. Students who want deeper specialization can look at the dual MBA and MS route, which the page describes as the way to add in-depth sustainability expertise to business leadership training.
Howard University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 41%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Howard University's MBA is a 48-credit program with a 33-credit core and joint degrees with law, medicine, pharmacy, social work, divinity and engineering.
- 70% graduation rate
- Program Score 89.2
- 48-credit MBA
- Six dual degree options
Howard University's Master of Business Administration is offered through its School of Business, which the school says was the first university in Washington, D.C. to earn AACSB International accreditation. The program consists of 48 credit hours, including 33 credit hours of core courses that form the foundation of graduate business education. The full-time day program is described as a two-year experience with small class sizes. Howard also lists dual degree options with other professional schools: JD/MBA with the School of Law, MD/MBA with the School of Medicine, PharmD/MBA with the School of Pharmacy, MSW/MBA with the School of Social Work, MDiv/MBA with the School of Divinity, and BSE/MBA with the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Computer Sciences. The program page also carries an online MBA listing.
Howard has a 70% graduation rate and admits 41% of applicants. The program's Program Score of 89.2 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It suits students who want a traditional full-time MBA cohort in Washington, D.C., or who plan to pair business training with a law, medical, pharmacy, social work, divinity or engineering degree.
Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 36-credit Catholic-rooted MBA finishing in as little as 9 months on campus, with four specialization options.
- 79% graduation rate
- Program Score 72.8
- 36 credits
- As few as 9 months on campus
The Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America offers this MBA for recent graduates with less than five years of professional experience. It has 36 credits: 24 in core coursework across finance, marketing, operations and management, and 12 in a specialization such as Strategic Management, Data Analytics, People Management or Church Administration. The program is rooted in Catholic social teaching and emphasizes ethical decision-making. The on-campus version can be completed in as little as 9 months and includes an internship requirement, and the page also describes a flexible online pathway. The school reports AACSB accreditation and says the degree is endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society.
Federal data show a 79% graduation rate and an 83% admit rate at The Catholic University of America. The MBA has a Program Score of 72.8 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It suits early-career graduates who want a short, structured MBA with a faith-based ethical framework. Students leaning toward analytics, people management or church administration can use the 12-credit specialization to shape the degree, and those who need flexibility can look at the online option.
Strayer University-Global Region
Washington, DC · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 14%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Strayer's MBA is 10 courses with 13 listed concentrations, including AI systems management and cybersecurity management.
- 14% graduation rate
- Program Score 63.6
- Open admission
- 10 courses, 13 concentrations
Strayer University-Global Region offers an online Master of Business Administration of 10 master's courses, each 11 weeks long, with online and in-person options at select campuses. The page says the degree develops understanding of management functions and organizational behavior, along with decision making, critical thinking and ethical challenges. Listed skills include business communication, how markets affect organizations, management strategy, leadership, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Thirteen concentrations are offered, among them Accounting, Artificial Intelligence Systems Management, Business Data, Digital Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Services Administration, Human Resource Management, Cybersecurity Management, Marketing, Project Management and Public Administration. The school cites its own 2023 alumni survey, in which 91% of MBA alumni agreed the degree was a worthwhile investment.
Federal data shows a 14% graduation rate at Strayer Global Region, and the school is open admission. The program earned a Program Score of 63.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working professionals who want a short MBA with a specialty and an online schedule, and who can plan around the low federal completion figure.
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 100%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 48-credit MBA delivered 100% online that the school says can be finished in 20 months.
- 49% graduation rate
- Program Score 62.5
- 48 credits, 100% online
- 20-month accelerated format
Trinity Washington University offers a Master of Business Administration of 48 credits that runs entirely online, in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. The school describes it as an accelerated path that working professionals can finish in 20 months. The curriculum covers management functions, managerial competencies and ethical problem solving, and it leans on case studies and real-world application. Trinity says the program is taught and managed by business leaders from the public, private and independent sectors, and it points to a leadership focus that addresses federal agencies and nonprofits alongside corporate management. The page lists careers such as program manager, director of operations, business analyst and consultant. It also notes that applicants on F-1 or B-1 visas are not eligible for fully online graduate programs.
The federal data show a 49% graduation rate at Trinity and an admit rate of 100%, so the school admits every applicant who applies. The program earned a Program Score of 62.5 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking on this site. It suits working adults who want a defined 20-month schedule and an online format, particularly professionals in government, associations or the nonprofit sector who want management training without relocating to Washington, D.C.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
The median school on this list graduates 75% of its students. The highest rates belong to Georgetown University (95%) and George Washington University (84%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Georgetown University95% graduation rate
- #2 George Washington University84% graduation rate
- #5 The Catholic University of America79% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the MBA Programs in the District of Columbia?
On this list, 1 of 7 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 3 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Georgetown University at 13%.
- #1 Georgetown University13% admitted
- #4 Howard University41% admitted
- #2 George Washington University47% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
This list holds 6 private nonprofit and 1 for-profit schools.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Campus Size Across the MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,948 at Trinity Washington University to 25,374 at George Washington University. Of the 7, 2 enroll 20,000 students or more and 1 enrolls fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the MBA Programs in the District of Columbia Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown | $188,160 |
| #2 | George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington | $146,816 |
| #3 | American UniversityAmerican | $127,269 |
| #4 | Howard UniversityHoward | $135,741 |
| #6 | Strayer University-Global RegionStrayer-Global Region | $76,080 |
| #7 | Trinity Washington UniversityTrinity Washington | $91,234 |
Graduates of Georgetown earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $188,160; the lowest figure here is $76,080 at Strayer-Global Region.
Georgetown leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What an MBA Costs in the District of Columbia
The federal data behind this ranking reports each school's undergraduate tuition, not its MBA price, so this page does not quote a per-program MBA cost. Graduate business tuition is usually billed per credit and varies by format: full-time, part-time, evening, and executive sections at the same school often carry different rates. Get the current per-credit rate and total program cost from each school's graduate business office before comparing.
Run the full 2-year math on that quoted rate, and add fees and any required residencies. Against the national median of $105,770 a year for the management roles MBA graduates move into, a lower total cost pays itself back faster.
Online MBA Options in the District of Columbia
3 of the 7 ranked District programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online MBA carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
- #4 Howard UniversityWashington, DC
- #6 Strayer University-Global RegionWashington, DC
- #7 Trinity Washington UniversityWashington, DC
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.
MBA Careers and Pay After a District Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions About MBA Programs in the District of Columbia
What is the best MBA in the District of Columbia?
By Program Score, Georgetown University ranks first among the 7 MBA programs in the District of Columbia we analyzed, with a 96.2 score and a 95% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does an MBA cost in the District of Columbia?
It depends on the school and the format. The federal data this ranking uses reports undergraduate tuition, not MBA pricing, so ask each school's graduate business office for its current per-credit rate and total program cost, and compare full-time, part-time, and online sections separately.
Is an online MBA respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not a figure specific to the District of Columbia or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.