Howard University
A good fit for students considering a private nonprofit institution in District of Columbia. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 10,108 students.
About This School
Howard University is a private nonprofit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia with approximately 10,108 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 41% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $50,539 per year. The graduation rate is 70%, and the typical graduate earns $54,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
The only HBCU with an R1 research designation, this DC institution offers a genuinely distinctive combination of academic prestige, a powerful alumni network, and a mission-driven campus community that's hard to replicate elsewhere. The numbers tell a mostly solid story — 90% freshman retention and median debt of just $19,200 at graduation are reassuring — though the 69% graduation rate suggests a meaningful share of students don't finish, which is worth asking about during your visit. At nearly $48,000/year net price, make sure the financial aid package is real before committing, and compare it against median earnings of $54,500 a decade out to ensure the math works for your family.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2022-23). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: -3% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (10,108 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Source: Howard University Common Data Set (2022-23).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in District of Columbia
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Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
American University
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University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC · Public
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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