Howard University — College Profile

About

Affectionately known as "The Mecca," Howard University is a prestigious, federally chartered Historically Black University in Washington, D.C., renowned for its legacy of leadership and top-ranked programs in business, communications, STEM, pre-law, and health sciences. Campus life is anchored by a vibrant culture of social activism and historic HBCU traditions, centered around "the Yard" with energetic Greek life and iconic celebrations like Yardfest and Homecoming. Situated in the nation’s capital, Howard offers students unparalleled access to policy internships, global research partnerships, and a powerful, deeply supportive alumni network across Capitol Hill, major medical centers, and corporate boardrooms.

Wikipedia:Howard University is a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It is the only HBCU with R1 designation.

Location

Washington, DC, 20059 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

DCA · Washington DC

5 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$35,810

Housing & food (on campus)$17,322

Books & supplies$1,360

Cost of attendance$54,630

Average net price$50,539

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$35,810

Housing & food (on campus)$17,322

Books & supplies$1,360

Cost of attendance$54,630

Average net price$50,539

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$46,051

$30–48k

$47,477

$48–75k

$50,245

$75–110k

$52,981

$110k+

$54,270

Your family's actual price → Howard University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.

Average award$17,588

Share of first-years who get one15%

Source: Howard University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

69%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

60%

Back for yr 2

91%

Transferred

21%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

67% graduated · 23% transferred · 9% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$47,379

10 yrs after entry$63,066

Debt

Median at graduation$24,500

Monthly payment$260

Middle 50% owe$12k–$30.5k

90th percentile$37,500

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

41%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1213

R 560–670 · M 530–650

ACT midpoint

Comp 22–28 · E 21–29 · M 18–26

SAT middle 50%: 1090–1320

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

How much essays count at Howard University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)

Source: Howard University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Howard University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 27%Women 73%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

40%

First-gen

24%

Family income

$40,386

Independent

11%

Age at entry

20.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

Hispanic

Black

77%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Basketball
Men's · Women's
Bowling
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$47,379

After 10 yrs

$63,066

Biology, General186

Political Science and Government148

Psychology, General132

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other121

Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication96

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness77

Marketing65

Computer Science56

Finance and Financial Management Services54

Criminal Justice and Corrections52

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other45

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing43

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General42

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General36

Management Information Systems and Services35

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management32

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$1.0B

Full-time faculty

64%

Faculty salary

$11,580/mo

Teaching spend

$14,944

per student

Federal loans

59%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$102M research spending · 102 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, selective admissions