Howard vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Howard vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Drexel? 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 Howard University than Drexel ($33,368 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 4.3% lower than at Drexel University ($17,322 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 74.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $26,602 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.3% higher at Drexel than at Howard University (about $26,602 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 64.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($35,051 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 130 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Drexel students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Howard vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Drexel? 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $757 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,243 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.