Howard vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Howard vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia University than Howard ($30,037 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 0.8% lower than at Howard University ($17,180 vs. $17,322).
• Arcadia University is 38.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $13,800 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at Arcadia than at Howard University (about $13,800 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at Arcadia University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 63.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($34,705 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 40 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Howard vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Arcadia? 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arcadia University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Arcadia University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.