District of Columbia College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for District of Columbia colleges

There are 17 four-year colleges and universities in District of Columbia—1 public institutions and 16 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $5,662, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $12,514. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by -7.96% and out-of-state costs changed by -3.77%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 7.83% (in-state) and 11.40% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $34,184 in 2025. That is a 3.77% change from last year and 23.98% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $9,604, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $18,118. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by -4.85% and out-of-state costs changed by -2.63%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 10.39% (in-state) and 12.10% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $26,770 in 2025. That is a -2.38% change from last year and 16.63% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 3.77% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by -7.96% (lower by 11.73 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by -3.77% (lower by 7.54 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 23.98%, compared with public in-state 7.83% (lower by 16.15 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 11.40% (lower by 12.58 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by -2.38% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by -4.85% (lower by 2.48 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by -2.63% (lower by 0.25 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 16.63%, compared with public graduate in-state 10.39% (lower by 6.24 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 12.10% (lower by 4.53 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $25,679 (public in-state), $32,531 (public out-of-state), and $54,201 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 1.33%, 1.05%, and 3.97%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 23.77% (public in-state), 21.71% (public out-of-state), and 25.85% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $24,708 (public in-state), $31,560 (public out-of-state), and $53,230 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 2.33%, 1.81%, and 4.50%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 19.41% (public in-state), 18.32% (public out-of-state), and 23.75% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of District of Columbia Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in District of Columbia from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in District of Columbia and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For District of Columbia public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $5,662 which has increased by 7.83% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $12,514 which has risen by 11.40%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 1.14% while last year increase rate was -3.77%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for District of Columbia Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$5,251$5,612$5,756$5,888$6,020$6,152$6,152$6,152$6,152$5,662
Year-to-Year Rates0.00%6.87%2.57%2.29%2.24%2.19%0.00%0.00%0.00%-7.96%
Cumulative Rates0.00%6.87%9.62%12.13%14.64%17.16%17.16%17.16%17.16%7.83%
Out-of-State Costs$11,233$11,756$12,092$12,416$12,704$13,004$13,004$13,004$13,004$12,514
Year-to-Year Rates0.00%4.66%2.86%2.68%2.32%2.36%0.00%0.00%0.00%-3.77%
Cumulative Rates0.00%4.66%7.65%10.53%13.10%15.77%15.77%15.77%15.77%11.40%
For private schools in District of Columbia state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $34,184 which has increased by 23.98% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.40% while last year increase rate was 3.77%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for District of Columbia Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$28,311$29,431$30,186$31,202$31,413$31,903$30,851$31,421$32,943$34,184
Year-to-Year Rates2.68%3.95%2.57%3.37%0.67%1.56%-3.30%1.85%4.84%3.77%
Cumulative Rates2.68%6.74%9.48%13.17%13.93%15.71%11.89%13.96%19.48%23.98%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of District of Columbia public schools are $9,604 which has increased by 10.39% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $18,118 which has risen by 12.10%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.21% while last year increase rate was -2.63%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for District of Columbia Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$8,700$9,158$9,410$9,644$9,860$10,094$10,094$10,094$10,094$9,604
Year-to-Year Rates0.00%5.26%2.75%2.49%2.24%2.37%0.00%0.00%0.00%-4.85%
Cumulative Rates0.00%5.26%8.16%10.85%13.33%16.02%16.02%16.02%16.02%10.39%
Out-of-State Costs$16,162$16,808$17,294$17,762$18,176$18,608$18,608$18,608$18,608$18,118
Year-to-Year Rates0.00%4.00%2.89%2.71%2.33%2.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%-2.63%
Cumulative Rates0.00%4.00%7.00%9.90%12.46%15.13%15.13%15.13%15.13%12.10%
For private graduate schools in District of Columbia state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $26,770 which has increased by 16.63% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.66342% while last year increase rate was -2.38%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for District of Columbia Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$23,280$23,854$24,770$24,972$25,289$25,863$26,411$27,065$27,422$26,770
Year-to-Year Rates1.43%2.47%3.84%0.82%1.27%2.27%2.12%2.48%1.32%-2.38%
Cumulative Rates1.43%3.93%7.92%8.80%10.18%12.68%15.07%17.92%19.48%16.63%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at District of Columbia college cost trends.