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Howard University

HU

Washington, District of Columbia 20059

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanSports cultureHBCU

Known for business

Howard University is a private institution in Washington with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1205, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 9.6K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $63,066 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $47,919.

Established
1867
Motto
Veritas et Utilitas
Mascot
Bison
Type
Private federally chartered historically black research university
Division
Division I

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35%Acceptance
1205SAT Avg
9,604Students
11:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$63,066Earnings 10yr
$47,919Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate34.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1205

Reading & WritingMid: 600
560660
MathMid: 585
540638

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2228

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$33,344
Room & Board$16,474
Books & Supplies$1,360
Total Cost of Attendance$51,450
Average Net Price$47,919
Median Debt at Graduation$24,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$260

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$44,234
$30–48K$45,504
$48–75K$49,005
$75–110K$50,842
$110K+$51,384

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

43.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,200

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

72

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

19

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

6

Motor Vehicle Theft

8

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

19

Drug Arrests

14

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (156)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

90%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
9,604
Gender Split
73% / 27%
Women / Men
First Generation
24%
Pell Grant Recipients
41%

Race & Ethnicity

Black 71%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 3%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate68.9%
Freshman Retention90.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,379
10 Years$63,066

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#86
vs 2024
Forbes
#273
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#141
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • Howard later served as president of the university from 1869 to 1874.
  • Congress chartered Howard on March 2, 1867, and much of its early funding came from endowment, private benefaction and tuition.
  • 20th century From 1926 to 1960, preacher Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was Howard University's first African-American president.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

175Very High

Estimated from DC state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Washingtonpop. 690K
1 mi(2 min)
Baltimorepop. 570K
33 mi(57 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
122 mi(211 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAD Washington Dulles24 mi
BWI Baltimore-Washington26 mi
MDT Harrisburg89 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA392 mi · ~11h 19m drive
New York, NY202 mi · ~5h 50m drive
Hartford, CT302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Providence, RI357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Albany, NY309 mi · ~8h 56m drive
Syracuse, NY289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Rochester, NY294 mi · ~8h 30m drive
Buffalo, NY291 mi · ~8h 24m drive
Philadelphia, PA122 mi · ~3h 31m drive
Pittsburgh, PA190 mi · ~5h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA94 mi · ~2h 43m drive
Newark, NJ196 mi · ~5h 40m drive
Washington, DC1 mi · ~2 min drive
Baltimore, MD33 mi · ~57 min drive
Atlanta, GA544 mi · ~15h 43m drive
Charlotte, NC331 mi · ~9h 34m drive
Raleigh, NC235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Miami, FL928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Orlando, FL760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Tampa, FL820 mi · ~23h 41m drive
Nashville, TN567 mi · ~16h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA966 mi · ~27h 54m drive
Richmond, VA98 mi · ~2h 50m drive
Chicago, IL594 mi · ~17h 10m drive
Detroit, MI394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Minneapolis, MN931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
St. Louis, MO710 mi · ~20h 31m drive
Kansas City, MO941 mi · ~27h 11m drive
Indianapolis, IN492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Columbus, OH327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Cleveland, OH304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Milwaukee, WI634 mi · ~18h 19m drive
Dallas, TX1183 mi · ~34h 11m drive
Houston, TX1220 mi · ~35h 15m drive
Austin, TX1317 mi · ~38h 3m drive
San Antonio, TX1387 mi · ~40h 4m drive
Los Angeles, CA2295 mi · ~66h 18m drive
San Francisco, CA2436 mi · ~70h 22m drive
San Diego, CA2271 mi · ~65h 36m drive
Seattle, WA2322 mi · ~67h 5m drive
Portland, OR2348 mi · ~67h 50m drive
Denver, CO1490 mi · ~43h 3m drive
Phoenix, AZ1979 mi · ~57h 10m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1842 mi · ~53h 13m drive
Honolulu, HI4830 mi · ~139h 32m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Howard University Application Checklist

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