Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia · Private nonprofit, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$50,539
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
70.0%
Admission rate
41%
Undergrad size
10,108
In-state tuition
$35,810
Out-of-state tuition
$35,810
Cost of attendance
$54,630
Median earnings (10y)
$63,066
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,213
- ACT midpoint
- 24
- Retention
- 90.9%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (25%), humanities & arts (23%), stem (21%).
- STEM21%
- Health10%
- Business14%
- Humanities & arts23%
- Social sciences25%
- Trades & services7%
- Business14.2%~1,437 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Social sciences13.5%~1,367 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication11.3%~1,139 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Health professions10.4%~1,053 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Biological sciences10.1%~1,023 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Psychology8.5%~860 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering4.6%~466 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Computer science4.1%~410 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~385 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~350 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~323 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~303 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English2.0%~202 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~142 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture1.2%~121 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education0.9%~96 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~91 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics0.9%~91 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~86 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- History0.8%~76 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~56 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~30 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 304 | $24,174 | $26,000 |
| Law. | First professional | 297 | $62,960 | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 269 | $31,844 | $27,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other. | Bachelor's | 237 | $27,756 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 218 | $22,431 | $25,000 |
| Medicine. | First professional | 213 | $57,999 | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 176 | $34,119 | $26,000 |
| Dentistry. | First professional | 154 | $74,115 | — |
| Social Work. | Master's | 143 | $53,307 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 135 | $83,747 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 128 | $32,089 | $27,000 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | First professional | 123 | $76,631 | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 120 | $47,058 | $25,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 104 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 93 | $72,085 | $19,959 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 86 | $29,102 | $26,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 81 | $24,776 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 77 | $67,642 | $27,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. | Bachelor's | 68 | $15,855 | $27,000 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Bachelor's | 67 | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor's | 58 | $74,153 | $20,000 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | Bachelor's | 57 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master's | 56 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 51 | $59,638 | $25,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 47 | $34,309 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 44 | — | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 44 | $49,205 | $27,000 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | Bachelor's | 42 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 42 | $33,318 | $27,000 |
| Architecture. | Bachelor's | 41 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 39 | $28,764 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | First professional | 38 | — | — |
| Architecture. | Master's | 36 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 36 | — | — |
| International Business. | Bachelor's | 36 | $60,535 | $24,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 35 | $27,342 | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 35 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 33 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other. | Bachelor's | 31 | $31,039 | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 31 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Howard University
Howard University is a large institution located in Washington, District of Columbia, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 10,108 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Social sciences, Communication.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Howard University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $50,539 per year, which is premium-priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $35,810 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $54,630 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 70.0%, a above-average completion outcome. 90.9% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $63,066 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Howard University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Social sciences, Communication. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (25% of credentials), humanities & arts (23% of credentials), stem (21% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Howard University accepts 41% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,213. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 24.
Location & campus
Set in Washington, District of Columbia (city), Howard University draws students from across District of Columbia and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Howard University
Q.How much does Howard University cost?
The average net price at Howard University is $50,539 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $54,630.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Howard University?
Howard University has a 6-year graduation rate of 70.0% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Howard University?
Howard University admits 41% of applicants, which is considered selective.
Q.How much do Howard University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Howard University graduate earns $63,066 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Howard University?
Published tuition is $35,810 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Howard University located?
Howard University is located in Washington, District of Columbia (ZIP 20059).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Howard University at their official website.