Howard University
About Howard University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Howard University is a private historically Black research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the country, known for producing leaders in law, medicine, business, and the arts. Howard's alumni include Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and many other notable figures.
Founded
1867
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Students
13,479
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
41.3%
Selective
Graduation Rate
70%
Near national average
Tuition
$35,810
Per year
Avg Net Price
$50,539
After financial aid
SAT Average
1213
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$63,066
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
41.3 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$45
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Feb 1
Howard University accepts 41.3% of applicants, with admitted students averaging around 1213 on the SAT. If you're near or above that range, you have a strong chance.
SAT Scores
1213/ 1600
ACT Scores
24/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
70% complete their degree within six years
Retention
90.9%
4-Year Grad
53%
6-Year Grad
64%
Teaching Quality
14:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
64.3%
$/Student
$14.9K
Class Size
Medium
While 53% finish in 4 years, 90.9% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$35,810
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,322
Books & Supplies
$1,360
Total Cost of Attendance
$54,630
After Financial Aid
$50,539
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$46,051
Receive Grants
40%
Take Loans
58.8%
The total cost of attendance runs about $54,630/yr, including $17,322 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $50,539.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Howard University fund their education.
While in School
40%
Get Grants
Free money
58.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$40,386
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$24,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$260/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Students typically graduate with $24,500 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Howard University.
Gender
73.3%
Female
27%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
10,108
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
3,371
Graduates
23.6%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
1.7%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 73% of the student body. 23.6% are first-generation college students.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
10,108
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R2 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Most prestigious HBCU in the nation
- +Washington D.C. location for policy and government access
- +Powerful alumni network across industries
- +Strong sense of Black excellence and community
Cons
- -Campus facilities need modernization in some areas
- -D.C. cost of living is high
- -Administrative processes can be slow
- -Financial aid processing has faced criticism
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Howard University fields 11 varsity teams with 566 student athletes, about 6% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Mid-Eastern
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
11
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
566
6% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
50% / 50%
284
Men
282
Women
7
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Howard Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$63,066
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Biology, General
$29K
186 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$32K
148 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$19K
132 grads
1yr Earnings
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
$26K
121 grads
1yr Earnings
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
$39K
96 grads
1yr Earnings
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$31K
77 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $47K at six years, $48K at eight, and $63K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard University
What is the acceptance rate at Howard University?▾
How much does Howard University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Howard University?▾
How much do Howard University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.