Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington University is a private, nonprofit university in Northeast Washington, DC. Founded in 1897, it combines a historic undergraduate college for women with coeducational programs for working adults and graduate students. Its 2026 accreditation reaffirmation and renewed evaluation cycle through 2033–34 are recorded by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Trinity’s four academic units cover liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing and health professions, and professional and graduate studies. This structure matters when comparing schedules, costs, admission steps and the setting students will experience: the daytime College of Arts & Sciences is for women, while many evening, weekend and graduate programs are coeducational.

Programs and study formats

Trinity offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as certificates. Among its notable options are nursing and health professions; occupational therapy assistant; biology, biochemistry, chemistry and forensic science; business; psychology; criminal justice; education and counseling; social work; communications; and global affairs. The School of Professional and Graduate Studies provides undergraduate evening and weekend options, including courses at THEARC in Southeast DC. Graduate degrees are available in education, nursing and health fields, business and other professional areas. With more than 70 programs, it is useful to start with the school that fits your schedule and career goal, then check prerequisites, professional licensure requirements and delivery format in Trinity’s complete program directory.

The daytime College of Arts & Sciences is the university’s women’s college and is organized around a liberal arts foundation, with majors across the humanities, sciences and professional fields. Students may pursue minors or individualized interdisciplinary study with faculty guidance. Other divisions serve adult learners through evening and weekend schedules and offer coeducational graduate study. The campus also supports residential undergraduate life, while many students in professional programs commute or study part time.

Tuition, financial aid and scholarships

Rates depend on the school and program. In the 2026–27 catalog, full-time tuition in Arts & Sciences is $27,420 per year for 12–18 credits per semester; Nursing and Health Professions lists $28,590 per year for full-time undergraduate enrollment. Professional and Graduate Studies charges $640 per undergraduate credit on the main campus and $195 per credit for courses at THEARC; graduate tuition in the professional school and in Education and Nursing is listed at $900 per credit. A full-time student should also budget for the health fee, insurance unless an approved waiver applies, books and other program-specific costs. Residence hall room and meal-plan costs are separate; first-year residents must take the required meal plan. See the current 2026–27 tuition and fee schedule and ask Enrollment Services for a full cost estimate for your program and living arrangement.

Students can apply for federal, District and institutional assistance. Complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for federal grants, work-study and loans; Trinity also lists institutional grants and scholarships, state and District aid, veteran benefits, and employer tuition discounts for some professional programs. DC residents may qualify for programs such as DC Tuition Assistance, the Mayor’s Scholars program or the Ward 7 and 8 DC College Access award, each with its own residency and eligibility rules. Nursing students can explore the Joanne and William Conway scholarships, with awards that vary by program stage and enrollment status; the university’s current nursing information describes awards of up to $20,000 per year for eligible full-time students admitted to the BSN program. The financial-aid office provides a current financial-aid hub with application forms, deadlines and conditions. Get your individual award in writing before relying on a scholarship or grant to cover a balance.

Admission and campus visits

Admission requirements differ among the four academic units and specific degree programs. The Arts & Sciences application is free and reviewed on a rolling basis; Trinity lists a priority date of February 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring, with program-specific requirements for education, nursing, occupational therapy and graduate study. The School of Professional and Graduate Studies serves working adults with evening and weekend programs, and its THEARC route has its own program and advising information. Applicants transferring credits or applying to a licensure-track program should confirm the credit review and sequence of prerequisite courses before planning a start term. The university’s application page directs students to the correct process for each school.

Trinity offers scheduled campus tours and information sessions at the main campus. Register ahead rather than assuming a walk-in tour is available. The admissions office lists phone hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; tour dates and arrival instructions vary by event. Call before traveling if you need to meet with a specific school or financial-aid counselor.

Locations and contact details

• Main campus: 125 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20017; main number (202) 884-9000. This campus houses central administration and the daytime College of Arts & Sciences as well as education, nursing and other university facilities. General campus listing hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; admissions is available by phone on a longer schedule, and visitor tours should be booked.
• Trinity at THEARC: 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020. This additional teaching location in Southeast DC offers selected associate and professional-study courses for adult students. Check that your intended program and course meet at THEARC; not every degree is offered there, and the university’s main-campus tuition rates do not apply to all THEARC courses.

Trinity’s visit and event calendar lists current tours and information sessions. Admissions can also help applicants decide which academic unit fits their goals.

What students say

Student comments reflect both the benefit of a small, personal environment and areas worth checking before enrolling. Many Niche reviewers describe faculty as approachable and invested in student progress; some appreciate the women-centered community, supportive classmates and the flexibility of evening, weekend or online study. Other reviewers mention older facilities, limited campus activities and dining they would like to see improved. A January 2024 review specifically alleges bias and poor support in the nursing program. That is an individual account, not a finding about the university or proof of current conditions; nursing applicants should ask about clinical placements, advising, complaint processes and who can help if a course or faculty relationship becomes difficult. The public comments are varied and self-selected, so use them to form questions and speak with current students in the program you plan to enter. Trinity’s academic and financial-aid pages provide the policies and contacts to follow up.

For students seeking a women-centered daytime liberal arts college in Washington or a more flexible professional program while working, Trinity’s divisions offer distinct paths under one university. Compare the exact degree plan, schedule, total cost after aid, commute to the campus where classes meet, and program-specific licensure or clinical requirements before deciding. You can start with the free online application or use the university’s student-review page as one additional source of questions to explore.