Overview of Howard University

Howard University is a private HBCU situated in Washington, D.C. Howard has an impressive 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio, and its accomplishments in the liberal arts earned it a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 9,139 (6,243 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 31 percent male/69 percent female
• 96 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $27,206
• Books: $1,900
• Room and Board: $14,374
• Other Expenses: $2,500
• Total Cost: $45,980

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 96 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 87 percent
  • Loans: 62 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $21,235
  • Loans: $6,794

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; and Health Professions and Related Programs

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 85 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 26 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 46 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 62 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The Howard Bison play in the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with other HBCUs.

Overview of Howard University Admissions

One of the country’s top HBCUs, Howard University has a competitive admissions process with a low acceptance rate. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside the admission offices’ mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process.

Admissions Data             

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Howard University had an acceptance rate of 32%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 32 gained admission, making Howard’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 75% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Howard’s students fall within the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Howard University scored between 590 and 650 for the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored over 650. 50% of admitted students scored between 550 and 635. On the math section, while 25% scored below 550, and 25% scored over 635. A student with a composite SAT score of 1285 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Howard University.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 42% of applicants provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Howard University’s students fall within the top 37% on the ACT. The median 50% of admitted students to Howard received a composite ACT score between 22 and 27, while 25% scored over 27, and 25% scored below 22.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for Howard University freshman was 3.33, and over 60% of admitted students had mean GPAs of 3.5 and over. Successful applicants to Howard University have B/B+ grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Howard University, it should be easy for you to gain admission to the schools below. If Howard University is currently out of your reach, you can be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Howard University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admission.

Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University, University of Houston, San Diego State University, University of California, Riverside

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission than Howard University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, you’ll be a competitive candidate.

Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, University of Cincinnati

Applying to Howard University

Application Deadline: February 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www2.howard.edu/admission/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www2.howard.edu/admission/undergraduate/adm-process

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www2.howard.edu/admission/graduate

Graduate Application Link(s):  https://www2.howard.edu/application-guide