Washington, DC
Howard University is a private nonprofit institution located in Washington, DC, a large city. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 10,108 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.
Howard University's 41.3% acceptance rate indicates the institution accepts a substantial portion of applicants. This moderate selectivity means qualified candidates have a reasonable chance of admission.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 8,864 | 2,870 | 32.4% | 560 |
| Women | 21,478 | 7,717 | 35.9% | 1,708 |
Howard University admits 41.3% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Howard University's sticker price is $58,032, while the average net price is $50,539, meaning students pay modestly less on average than the listed cost of attendance.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $260.
After aid, Howard University costs $50,539 a year — about 124% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Howard University has a graduation rate of 69.3%. Graduates earn a median of $47,379 six years after entry and $63,066 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 202 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 194 |
| Psychology, General | 170 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related... | 137 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health... | 97 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and... | 87 |
| Computer Science | 81 |
| Marketing, Other | 76 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 74 |
| Finance, General | 72 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Howard University are $54,819, and 69% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Howard University students earn $47,379 — 4% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Howard University is a private nonprofit institution located in Washington, DC's large city setting. The undergraduate student body of 10,108 includes 73.3% women, with 40.0% receiving Pell grants and 23.6% as first-generation students.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
485 of 9,361 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
624 of 10,190 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 512 of 3,226 graduate students.
Howard University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and operates its own medical school and teaching hospital.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Howard University is in Washington, DC, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 1.3 miles from the center of Washington. There are 20 other colleges within 25 miles, and Washington, DC is 1.3 miles away.
District of Columbia scores 14.4 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 5.4% of Washington's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Howard University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Common questions about Howard University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Howard University has an acceptance rate of 41.3%. This means that less than half of applicants are admitted to the institution.
The cost of attendance at Howard University is $58,032 per year. Tuition and fees specifically are $35,810 annually.
Howard University has an average net price of $50,539 after aid. About 40% of students receive Pell grants, and 58.8% borrow federal loans.
Howard University has a graduation rate of 69.3%. This reflects the percentage of students who complete their degree within the expected timeframe.
Graduates earn a median of $47,379 six years after entry and $63,066 ten years after entry, showing earning growth over time.
The median federal debt at graduation is $24,500. About 58.8% of students borrow federal loans to help finance their education.
Howard University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, providing relatively personalized classroom experiences.
Howard University has an undergraduate enrollment of 10,108 students, making it a large institution.
Women comprise 73.3% of the student body at Howard University, making it a predominantly female institution.
First-generation students make up 23.6% of the student body at Howard University.