Howard University (HU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Washington, DC that costs an average of $33,002 a year after financial aid, admits 41% of applicants and graduates 74% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$33,002
Acceptance rate
41%
Graduation rate
74%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$69,682
HBCUPrivate nonprofitLarge city10,108 undergraduates
Cost of HU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $58,032 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $38,936 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $18,982 |
| Books and supplies | $1,220 |
| Average net price after aid | $33,002 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $28,321 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $28,262 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $30,273 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $31,722 |
| $110,001+ | $41,046 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with HU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 41% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,213 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 560–670 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 530–650 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 22–28 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 74% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 91% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $52,918 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $69,682 |
| Rank in District of Columbia (earnings) | 5th of 9 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $23,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $270 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 41% |
| Students with federal loans | 56% |
Majors and programs at HU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (47)
Certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 10 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (41)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 160 | $126,100 | $97,694 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 30 | $76,040 | $83,932 |
| Social Work | 199 | $66,929 | $88,816 |
| Public Health | 20 | $65,905 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 28 | $64,101 | $165,737 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 9 | — | — |
| Architecture | 35 | — | $35,602 |
| Area Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 3 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 2 | — | — |
| Biology | 1 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 5 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 12 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 22 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 2 | — | — |
| Data Science | 5 | — | — |
| Economics | 11 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 15 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 18 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 14 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 5 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| History | 7 | — | — |
| Law | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | 2 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| Music | 4 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Physics | 6 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 4 | — | — |
| Psychology | 3 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3 | — | — |
| Sociology | 6 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 5 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (30)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 14 | $72,329 | — |
| Area Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 3 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 2 | — | — |
| Biology | 13 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | 3 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 13 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 2 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 15 | — | — |
| Economics | 15 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 21 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 7 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 5 | — | — |
| Genetics | 2 | — | — |
| History | 9 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 4 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2 | — | — |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4 | — | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5 | — | — |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | — | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 6 | — | — |
| Physics | 3 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 3 | — | — |
| Psychology | 19 | — | $284,045 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | — | — |
| Social Work | 8 | — | — |
| Sociology | 10 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 116 | $107,191 | $233,127 |
| Law | 287 | $106,437 | $191,298 |
| Dentistry | 151 | $86,090 | $302,911 |
| Medicine | 193 | $68,766 | $208,644 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 71 | — | $205,801 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 12 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | 26 | — | — |
| Area Studies | — | — | — |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 7 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 5 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 10 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 4 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | — | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in District of Columbia
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University | Washington | $35,760 | 47% | $96,691 |
| Georgetown University | Washington | $33,661 | 13% | $110,516 |
| American University | Washington | $41,302 | 62% | $85,458 |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington | $32,543 | 83% | $81,308 |
| Trinity Washington University | Washington | $12,820 | 100% | $57,561 |
| Gallaudet University | Washington | $27,398 | 58% | $49,334 |
| NewU University | Washington | — | — | — |
About HU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 10,108 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| Website | howard.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is HU's acceptance rate?
Howard University admits 41% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students average 1,213 on the SAT.
How much does HU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $58,032 a year (tuition and fees: $38,936). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $33,002 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $28,321.
How much do HU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $69,682 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 5th of 9 similar colleges in District of Columbia. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($103,053 a year after graduation).
What is HU's graduation rate?
74% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 91% of first-year students return for a second year.