Howard vs. Bradley

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Bradley University in Peoria, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Bradley based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 4,777 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Bradley University is in Peoria, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bradley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Bradley University 11:1.

Howard vs. Bradley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Bradley? 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 Bradley University than Howard ($23,787 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bradley University are 22.1% lower than at Howard University ($13,500 vs. $17,322).
• Bradley University is 17.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $6,350 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at Bradley than at Howard University (about $6,350 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bradley University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bradley University students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($30,808 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Bradley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Bradley (1200).
• Incoming Bradley students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Bradley University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Bradley University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Bradley - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bradley students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Bradley has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 11.2% at Bradley.

Howard vs. Bradley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Bradley? 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).

• Bradley University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Bradley University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,800 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bradley University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bradley University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Bradley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.