Howard University

www.howard.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$28,450

7.5% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$26,870

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

2.74%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

35.2%

29,396 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

12,065

91.6% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

63.6%

1,044 Graduates

About

Howard University is a higher education institution located in District of Columbia, DC. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Howard University were General Biological Sciences (200 degrees awarded), General Political Science & Government (117 degrees), and Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication (115 degrees).

In 2021, 2,370 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Howard University. 71.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 28.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was black or african american (1,784 degrees), 12.7 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (140 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Howard University is $28,450, which is $−542 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Howard University is $28,450, which is $−542 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $26,870.

In 2021, 88% of undergraduate students attending Howard University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 51% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$28,450

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Howard University was $28,450. The cost of tuition at Howard University is $−542 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Howard University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$26,870

2021 Value

15.7%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Howard University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $26,870. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Howard University grew by 15.7%.

This chart compares the average net price of Howard University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,650

Room and Board

$1,900

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Howard University was of $15,650 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 8.95% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,900. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Howard University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

88%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

51%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

88% of undergraduate students at Howard University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 3.3% with respect to 2020, when 91% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Howard University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2.74%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Howard University was 2.74%, which represents 61 out of the 2225 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Howard University received 29,396 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 20.8% annual growth. Out of those 29,396 applicants, 10,362 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 35.2% acceptance rate.

There were 12,065 students enrolled at Howard University in 2021. 26% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Howard University has an overall enrollment yield of 26.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

35.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

10,362

Accepted Out of 29,396

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Howard University was 35.2% (10,362 admissions from 29,396 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 38.6%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 20.8%, while admissions grew by 10.3%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Howard University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

26%

Submission Percentage (2021)

733

Scores Submitted (2021)

26% of enrolled first-time students at Howard University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Howard University had a total enrollment of 12,065 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Howard University is 11,056 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,009. This means that 91.6% of students enrolled at Howard University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Howard University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 67.4% Black or African American, 6.46% Hispanic or Latino, 4.33% Asian, 4.19% Two or More Races, 1.34% White, 1.15% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.182% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Howard University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Black or African American Female (49.4%), followed by Black or African American Male (17.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.88%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly Black or African American Female (48.9%), followed by Black or African American Male (22.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.85%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

91.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Howard University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 12,065 students. The full-time enrollment at Howard University is 11,056 and the part-time enrollment is 1,009. This means that 91.6% of students enrolled at Howard University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Howard University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

91%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Howard University was 91%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Howard University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Howard University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Black or African American
8,133 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
779 enrolled students
Asian
522 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Howard University is 67.4% Black or African American, 6.46% Hispanic or Latino, 4.33% Asian, 4.19% Two or More Races, 1.34% White, 1.15% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.182% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,308 students (10.8%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 1,040 more women than men received degrees from Howard University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Howard University is black or african american (1,784 degrees awarded). There were 12.7 times more black or african american recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (140 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Howard University is General Biological Sciences (200 degrees awarded), followed by General Political Science & Government (117 degrees) and Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication (115 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Howard University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Legal (147 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (37 degrees), and Communications (194 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Physicians

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Howard University are Physicians (392,883 people), Other managers (227,622 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (160,993 people), Postsecondary teachers (146,960 people), and Registered nurses (100,392 people).

The most specialized majors at Howard University in 2021 are Legal (147 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (37 degrees), Communications (194 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (92 degrees), and Biology (220 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Howard University are Surgeons, Media and communication workers, all other, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, and Physicians

The most specialized majors at Howard University are Legal (147 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (37 degrees), Communications (194 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (92 degrees), and Biology (220 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Howard University are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (538,967 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (400,993 people), Elementary & secondary schools (373,402 people), Offices of physicians (203,415 people), and Computer Systems Design (152,524 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Howard University.

Most Common (2021)

General Biological Sciences
200 degrees awarded
General Political Science & Government
117 degrees awarded
Public Relations, Advertising, & Applied Communication
115 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Howard University was General Biological Sciences with 200 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Howard University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

665

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

1,705

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 665 degrees were awarded to men at Howard University, which is 0.39 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,705).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Howard University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 58 degrees were awarded to men at Howard University in Medicine, which is 0.853 times less than the 68 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 152 degrees were awarded to men at Howard University in General Biological Sciences, which is 2.71 times more than the 56 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

52%

100% Completion Time

65%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 52% of students graduating from Howard University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 65% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 66% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (83.3%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Howard University is Female and Asian (83.3% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0% of graduates (0 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

Black or African American
1,784 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
140 degrees awarded
Asian
95 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Howard University is black or african american (1,784 degrees awarded). There were 12.7 times more black or african american recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (140 degrees).

0.717% of degree recipients (17 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

Black or African American Female
1,300 degrees awarded
Black or African American Male
484 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
106 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Howard University is black or african american female (1,300 degrees awarded). There were 2.69 times more black or african american female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american male (484 degrees).

Operations

Howard University has an endowment valued at nearly $806M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 188M (23.3%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Howard University had a total salary expenditure of 857M. Howard University employs 218 Associate professors, 191 Professors and 178 Assistant professors. Most academics at Howard University are Male Professor (123), Male Associate professor (111), and Female Assistant professor (109).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Howard University are: Management, with 345 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 247 employees, and Service with 109 employees.

Endowment

$806M

2021 Endowment

13.2%

growth from 2020

Howard University has an endowment valued at about $806M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Howard University grew 13.2% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $419M higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Howard University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$377M

2021 Salaries

2.06%

growth from 2020

In 2021, Howard University paid a median of $377M in salaries, which represents 44% of their overall expenditure ($857M) and a 2.06% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$71.2M

Instructional Salaries

752

Number of Employees

In 2021, Howard University paid a total of $71.2M to 752 employees working as instructors, which represents 18.9% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Associate professor

Most Common Instructor

218 Employees

Management

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

345 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Howard University were Associate professor with 218 employees, Professor with 191 employees, and Assistant professor with 178 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Howard University were Management with 345 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 247 employees, and Service with 109 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Howard University was Male Professor with 123 employees, Male Associate professor with 111 employees, and Female Assistant professor with 109 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Howard University.