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Howard University
About 41 in 100 applicants get into Howard University — solidly within reach for students near the ranges below.
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Howard University sits in Washington proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission. The university runs its own medical system, which colors both its budget and its biggest programs.
Its highest-earning path is Management Information Systems and Services, where graduates median $103,478 four years out. Faculty pay averages $138,960 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 10,108 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 90.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1100 and 1298 — below the DC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Howard University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Howard University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1100–1298 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Howard University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 560 | 620 | 660 |
| SAT Math | 540 | 580 | 638 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 25 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Howard University received 30,342 applications and admitted 10,587 (34.9%), with 2,268 enrolling.
How Howard University compares
| Howard University | District of Columbia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 41.3% | 58.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $35,810 | $31,210 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $63,066 | $63,066 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Howard University student earns $63,066 — 0% above the District of Columbia median of $63,066 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Howard University lists tuition at $35,810 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Howard University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $35,810 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Howard University enrolls 10,108 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Howard University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
70% graduate within six years. Roughly 30% don't — ask a Howard University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Howard University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services | $103,478 |
| International Business | $100,344 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $98,645 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $94,136 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $88,875 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $80,094 |
| Marketing | $77,820 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $73,929 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $68,877 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $67,881 |
| Political Science and Government | $65,733 |
| Economics | $63,972 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $61,316 |
| Biology, General | $60,923 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $60,047 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $59,909 |
| Psychology, General | $59,069 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,902 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $54,696 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $44,345 |
Median earnings for these 20 Howard University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $63,066 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 29 additional Howard University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Howard University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1100–1298 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 41.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Howard University's acceptance rate?
34.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 10,587 admitted from 30,342 applicants.
How much does Howard University cost?
At Howard University, published tuition is $35,810 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Howard University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Howard University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $63,066 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in District of Columbia
- George Washington University — 47.1% admitted
- Gallaudet University — 58.1% admitted
- Georgetown University — 12.9% admitted
- The Catholic University of America — 82.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.