Photo-illustration by Jennifer Albarracin Moya.
Georgetown University
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $68,016
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 6,741 (main campus only)
Notable Alumni: Bill Clinton, Ted Leonsis, Anontin Scalia, and 13 international royals
Campus Vibe: Wannabe diplomats and politicians who juggle Model UN, think-tank internships, and competitive social climbing.
Where to Find Students After Class: Pulling all-nighters in Lau, taking club meetings too seriously, or hitting the Tombs for Tuesday trivia.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Patagonia pullovers
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: Students are currently urging the administration to divest its endowment from companies that sell technology used by the Israeli military.
A Big Moment: 2006: The FDA approved the world’s first cancer-prevention vaccine, Gardasil. Georgetown researchers led the drug’s development.
George Washington University
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $67,710
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 10,848
Notable Alumni: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ted Lerner, andKerry Washington
Campus Vibe: Political enthusiasts who treat Foggy Bottom like a mini West Wing, chasing coveted “Hillternships” between poli-sci classes.
Where to Find Students After Class: Chatting at Kogan Plaza or visiting the monuments, again.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Longchamp bags, Adidas Sambas
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: In the spring, pro-Palestinian protests escalated into a multi-university encampment, prompting administrative action.
A Big Moment: 1930s and ’40s: Physics professor George Gamow and cosmologist Ralph Alpher led development of the Big Bang theory.
American University
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $58,750
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 7,817
Notable Alumni: Lonnie Bunch, SalvatoreFerragamo CEO Marco Gobbetti,Judy Sheindlin (a.k.a. Judge Judy)
Campus Vibe: Ambitious interns fueled by overpriced coffee and dreams of being the next big K Street lobbyist.
Where to Find Students After Class: Chilling on the Quad or grabbing a late-night snack at the Bridge Cafe.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Tote bags
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: President Jon Alger’s ascension after Sylvia Burwell’s exit, inheriting a campus rocked by staff strikes and Israel-Palestine protests
A Big Moment: June 10, 1963: At commencement, JFK pledged to halt nuclear tests if other nations did as well, a shift in Cold War tensions.
Howard University
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $35,810
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 10,190
Notable Alumni: Kamala Harris, Zora Neale Hurston, Elijah Cummings
Campus Vibe: A “Black Ivy League” that also feels like a fashion show and a family reunion.
Where to Find Students After Class: Hanging out on the Yard, going to Thirsty Thursdays at Grand Central and Whitlow’s, or dancing at a party.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: A trendy bag–think Telfar, Marc Jacobs–or an artsy tote
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: Despite soaring enrollment, Howard still struggles to house students, guaranteeing only two years of on-campus living.
A Big Moment: 1942: Students began “stool-sitting” at eateries that denied service to Black diners, leading to regular sit-ins.
Catholic University of America
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $58,378
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 3,139
Notable Alumni: New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, Mad Men actor John Slattery, 12 living cardinals
Campus Vibe: A smaller school where faith blends into academics–but isn’t forced on those with different beliefs.
Where to Find Students After Class: Studying at the Pryz student center and mingling with UMD students at the Terrapin’s Turf bar.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Rosary bracelets
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: An intense divide on abortion between the administration’s traditional Catholic values and a student body with diverse views.
A Big Moment: 1979, 2008, and 2015: The school was the only American university visited by three popes.
University of Maryland
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $11,505 (in-state) $40,306 (out-of-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 30,608
Notable Alumni: Gayle King, Larry David, Muppets creator Jim Henson, andGoogle cofounder Sergey Brin
Campus Vibe: You’re just as likely to meet a frat bro as you are a hipster or gamer at this big state school.
Where to Find Students After Class: Relaxing on McKeldin Mall or at the four mainstay bars: RJ Bentley’s, Cornerstone, Terrapin’s Turf, and Looney’s.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Nike Air Force 1s
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: The ongoing wait for the Purple Line, linking UMD to DC and the surrounding suburbs. Construction has caused detours and air-pollution concerns.
A Big Moment: September 24, 2001: A devastating tornado struck campus, killing two students. Siren tests are now a monthly event.
George Mason University
Annual Tuition and Fees (2024–25): $10,392 (in-state) $34,860 (out-of-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2023): 27,160 (main campus only)
Notable Alumni: Better Call Saul actress Rhea Seehorn, Olympic gold medalist David Verburg, Fox 5 anchor Angie Goff
Campus Vibe: A commuter school that’s bustling by day and a ghost town at night.
Where to Find Students After Class: Cramming in Fenwick Library’s silent zones, eating in the Johnson Center, or playing air hockey at the Corner Pocket.
Accessory/Clothing Items You’ll See Everywhere: Stanley cups and thrifted outfits
Biggest Issue on Campus Right Now: A new course requirement on diversity, equity, and inclusion was delayed for a year after scrutiny from Governor Glenn Youngkin and the school board.
A Big Moment: March 2006: The men’s basketball team was the Cinderella story of the NCAA tournament–the Patriots, an 11th seed, beat a number-one team and made it to the Final Four.
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This article appears in the September 2024 issue of Washingtonian.
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