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PublicUrbanHBCU

University of the District of Columbia

Washington, District of Columbia 20008

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanHBCU

Known for business — excellent value

University of the District of Columbia is a public institution in Washington with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A mid-sized campus of 3.1K undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

26% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,236 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,693.

Established
1851
Motto
"Aspire, Accomplish, Take on the World"
Mascot
Felix the Firebird
Type
Public historically black land-grant university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

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Acceptance
SAT Avg
3,080Students
6:1Student:Faculty
26%Grad Rate
$44,236Earnings 10yr
$14,693Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$6,152
Tuition (out-of-state)$13,004
Books & Supplies$1,149
Total Cost of Attendance$20,911
Average Net Price$14,693
Median Debt at Graduation$24,872
Monthly Payment (10yr)$264

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,786
$30–48K$14,589
$48–75K$17,674
$75–110K$12,345
$110K+$20,245

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

74.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$14,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

23

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

6

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (93)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

67%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
3,080
Gender Split
67% / 33%
Women / Men
First Generation
51%
Pell Grant Recipients
43%

Race & Ethnicity

White 3%
Black 54%
Hispanic 28%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate26.3%
Freshman Retention66.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$36,358
10 Years$44,236

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • The university traces its founding to the earliest of its predecessor institutions (Normal School for Colored Girls) which was founded in 1851.
  • James Ormond Wilson Normal School Main article: James Ormond Wilson Normal School In 1873, the Washington Normal School, a teaching school for white girls was established in Washington, D.
  • In 1913, it was renamed the James Ormond Wilson Normal School.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

175Very High

Estimated from DC state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
3 mi(5 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
34 mi(59 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
123 mi(213 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles21 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington27 mi
MDT Harrisburg88 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA393 mi · ~11h 21m drive
New York, NY203 mi · ~5h 52m drive
Hartford, CT302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Providence, RI358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Albany, NY309 mi · ~8h 56m drive
Syracuse, NY288 mi · ~8h 19m drive
Rochester, NY292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Buffalo, NY288 mi · ~8h 19m drive
Philadelphia, PA123 mi · ~3h 33m drive
Pittsburgh, PA187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Harrisburg, PA92 mi · ~2h 39m drive
Newark, NJ197 mi · ~5h 41m drive
Washington, DC3 mi · ~5 min drive
Baltimore, MD34 mi · ~59 min drive
Atlanta, GA543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Charlotte, NC331 mi · ~9h 34m drive
Raleigh, NC235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Miami, FL929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Orlando, FL760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Tampa, FL820 mi · ~23h 41m drive
Nashville, TN565 mi · ~16h 19m drive
New Orleans, LA965 mi · ~27h 53m drive
Richmond, VA99 mi · ~2h 52m drive
Chicago, IL591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Detroit, MI391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Minneapolis, MN929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
St. Louis, MO707 mi · ~20h 25m drive
Kansas City, MO939 mi · ~27h 8m drive
Indianapolis, IN489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
Columbus, OH324 mi · ~9h 22m drive
Cleveland, OH301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Milwaukee, WI632 mi · ~18h 15m drive
Dallas, TX1181 mi · ~34h 7m drive
Houston, TX1218 mi · ~35h 11m drive
Austin, TX1316 mi · ~38h 1m drive
San Antonio, TX1385 mi · ~40h 1m drive
Los Angeles, CA2292 mi · ~66h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA2433 mi · ~70h 17m drive
San Diego, CA2268 mi · ~65h 31m drive
Seattle, WA2319 mi · ~67h drive
Portland, OR2345 mi · ~67h 45m drive
Denver, CO1487 mi · ~42h 57m drive
Phoenix, AZ1976 mi · ~57h 5m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1839 mi · ~53h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI4827 mi · ~139h 27m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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