Study in Washington DC

Experiencing a dynamic capital

Students in Washington DC witness history in the making with some of the most important decisions made in the capital city.

Both the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are in Washington DC, making the city a global political and business hub.

However, more than anything, Washington DC is considered the historic heart of the US. You'll understand why the city is a political powerhouse and a cultural extravaganza once you arrive, and that’s what makes studying there so intriguing.

Things to do and see

Washington DC offers a myriad of attractions for you to sink your teeth into. The city is defined by neoclassical monuments and buildings, including the federal government’s three branches: The Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court.

And let's not forget Washington DC's iconic museums like the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, D.C., the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the International Spy Museum, the African American Civil War Museum, and Madame Tussauds. Many of these museums are free for students too!

But if music is more your thing, be sure to check out the Kennedy Centre!

You can also take in world-famous sights including: The Lincoln Memorial, several war memorials, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials.

Love running? Lots of locals and students alike enjoy running along trails to the Lincoln Memorial, or perhaps reading is more your thing? Why not get stuck into your favourite book while sitting on the benches lining the beautiful waters of the Jefferson Memorial.

Local boutiques, funky marketplaces, fabulous dining, cultural events, paddling on the Potomac, and a vibrant dining scene can all be found in this small but mighty metropolis. And an excellent public transportation system means the city is as accessible as it is amazing.

The fourth of July

There’s probably no city that’ll give you a more all-American, patriotic Independence Day than Washington DC.

Revel in the pomp-and-circumstance of the National Independence Day Parade in the morning along Constitution Avenue NW, then find the best spot on the National Mall or across the Potomac River near the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington ahead of the evening's fireworks (usually starting just after 9pm).

Can you think of anything more mesmerising than basking in the rockets’ red, white, and blue glare with the glowing white monuments and memorials as a backdrop? We sure can't.

Washington DC is one of the more expensive cities to feature in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, which is unsurprising with tuition fees setting students back an average of US$42,200, and also high living costs too.

Numbeo estimates a single person's monthly costs without rent to be US$1,119.04, and then students could pay US$2,324.74 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. Talk about breaking the bank, right?

Unsurprisingly, the majority of careers available for graduates in Washington DC are in politics, law, finance, and tech.

Graduates could land a job at Apple; CACI, LLC; Marsh and McLennan; Google; Fidelity Investments Careers.