Howard vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

Howard vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or ASU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Howard ($14,978 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 25.7% lower than at Howard University ($12,868 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 372.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $28,231 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42% higher at Howard than at Appalachian State University (about $10,598 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Appalachian State University (99% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 165.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($21,262 vs. $8,014).

Howard vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or ASU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ASU and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 10 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Howard students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Howard (3.66).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 18.2% at ASU.

Howard vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and ASU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.