Howard vs. Canisius

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Canisius University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Canisius? 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 Canisius University than Howard ($19,666 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 21.7% lower than at Howard University ($13,560 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $1,310 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Howard than at Canisius University (about $1,310 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Canisius University students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($24,972 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Canisius (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Canisius University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Canisius University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Canisius - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Canisius students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Canisius has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Howard vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Canisius? 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).

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($24,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Canisius graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.