Howard vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Chatham? 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 Chatham University than Howard ($31,280 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 21.5% lower than at Howard University ($13,600 vs. $17,322).
• Chatham University is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $8,816 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Chatham than at Howard University (about $8,816 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 41.5% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($30,095 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Chatham (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Chatham has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Howard vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Chatham? 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.