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Howard University

Washington, DC·Private·www.howard.edu/

Campus Identity

HBCUNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

Howard University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Washington, DC. Approximately 10,108 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 41% acceptance rate. Howard University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Howard University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Washington, DC. Approximately 10,108 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 41% acceptance rate. Howard University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 61/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

41%
Acceptance Rate
34,211 applications
25
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 22–28
$35,810
2024-25 Tuition
$50,539
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$17,143
Room & Board
19 meals/week
10,108
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
19%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
70%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity41% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

560620670

SAT Math

530590650

Campus Lifestyle

Howard University is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a small greek presence Greek scene. The campus is 102 miles from Lewes, DE and 61 miles from Liberty Mountain Resort.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conf.

Greek Life

Small Greek Presence

1% frats · 1% sororities

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

102 miles

Lewes, DE

Ski Access

61 miles

Liberty Mountain Resort

Weather

Warm Climate

52°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Howard University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Liberty Mountain Resort, 61 miles away with 8 lifts and 100 skiable acres. All are within 82 miles of campus.

61 mi away
100 skiable acres8 lifts
Whitetail Resort

Pennsylvania

75 mi away
120 skiable acres8 lifts
82 mi away
103 skiable acres9 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at Howard University are 102 miles from Lewes, DE.

Lewes, DE

Ocean access within 101.9 miles

102 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Washington, DC

Washington has a mild climate, with winters averaging 36°F in Jan and summers peaking around 80°F in Jul.

36°Jan39°Feb46°Mar57°Apr67°May76°Jun80°Jul79°Aug72°Sep59°Oct49°Nov41°Dec

Station: NATIONAL ARBORETUM DC · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Howard University in DC earns a composite safety score of 61/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

61/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety4855100
48/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
55/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
100/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$35,810
Fees
$466
Room & Board
$17,143
Total
$53,419
App Fee: $45
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$50,539avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

134 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Biology, GeneralBachelor's
186 grads/yr$60,923
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
148 grads/yr$65,733
LawProfessional
135 grads/yr$116,413
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
132 grads/yr$59,069
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, OtherBachelor's
121 grads/yr$59,909

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Dentistry
Professional79 grads$164,425
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Professional63 grads$141,811
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's87 grads$135,741
Law
Professional135 grads$116,413
Medicine
Professional98 grads$111,199
Management Information Systems and Services
Bachelor's35 grads$103,478
International Business
Bachelor's17 grads$100,344
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's15 grads$98,645
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's43 grads$94,136
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Doctoral6 grads$92,090

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Howard University located?

Howard University is located in Washington, DC. The main campus address is 2400 Sixth St NW, Washington, DC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Howard University?

Howard University has an acceptance rate of 41%, making it selective. Out of 34,211 applicants, 14,144 were admitted in the most recent year. 10,108 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Howard University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Howard University scored between 22 and 28 on the ACT, with a median of 25. About 9% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Howard University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Howard University charges $35,810/year in tuition. Including room and board ($17,143/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $28,916/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $50,539/year — what students actually pay. Use Howard University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Howard University?

The undergraduate application fee at Howard University is $45. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Howard University have college sports?

Yes — Howard University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conf.. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Howard University an HBCU?

Yes, Howard University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). HBCUs were established primarily to serve Black Americans and have a rich history of academic excellence, cultural significance, and community impact. Howard University remains an important institution for higher education and Black culture.

Is Howard University the right fit for me?

Whether Howard University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (41% admit rate), avg net price ($50,539/year after aid), campus culture in Washington, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Howard University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Howard University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Washington, DC
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
HBCU
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conf.
School Year Weather
Warm · 52°F avg
App Fee
$45
On Campus Safety Score
61/100
Nearest Airport
Washington, DC (DCA) · 5 mialso ADW (11 mi), DAA (17 mi)

Location

Washington, DC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.