The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has once again risen in the national rankings of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), earning the #18 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list, up from #23 last year. UDC also ranked #9 among public HBCUs, reflecting continued momentum for the District’s only public university and the nation’s only exclusively urban land-grant institution.
“This ranking reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire Firebird family,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “We are delivering on the promise of providing a high-quality, affordable education that prepares students not just for jobs, but for lifelong leadership. As we kick off the year-long celebration of our 175th anniversary, UDC continues to soar, by advancing economic mobility, fueling research and innovation and shaping the future of the District.”
The ranking caps a year of growth and achievement for UDC in the areas of:
- New Academic Offerings: UDC introduced an AI and robotics concentration in the School of Business and Public Administration; opened a Cybersecurity Tech Hub at its Congress Heights campus; launched a degree program in Community Health Sciences (B.S.); and announced the development of a new paramedic certification and degree program with D.C. Fire & EMS.
- National Recognition: The David A. Clarke School of Law was ranked #19 in the nation for clinical training and #2 for producing graduates who go into public interest law by U.S. News & World Report. The law school also earned top scores from the Princeton Review and National Jurist for its diversity, faculty excellence and public service leadership.
- Research and Innovation: UDC’s fifth annual Research Week drew record participation with nearly 200 presentations representing all six colleges and schools. UDC also received the new Research College & University (RCU) designation in the 2025 Carnegie Classification.
- Investments in Student Experience: UDC opened its new state-of-the-art library and a new athletic field at the Van Ness campus and launched a fully updated and redesigned university website to better serve the community.
- Honors and Awards: UDC was reaccredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and celebrated national honors for faculty and staff, including the Technology All-Star Award to Fatma Elshobokshy, Andrea Doctor’s induction into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing, and Vice President for Research Victor McCrary’s recognition by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“Our climb in the rankings underscores the strength of our programs, the dedication of our faculty and staff as well as the achievements of our students,” said Chief Academic Officer April Massey. “We are extraordinarily proud of the progress we’ve made and even more excited about what lies ahead. As we continue to enhance and expand our academic offerings, we are preparing our students with the knowledge and skills to lead in a rapidly changing world.”
As UDC launches its year-long 175th anniversary celebration, the university remains focused on advancing its bold five-year plan, Delivering on the Promise, strengthening its position as a flagship urban university and a key driver of workforce development and economic mobility for the District.