Howard vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or EC? 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 Elmira College than Howard ($23,682 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 16% lower than at Howard University ($14,550 vs. $17,322).
• Elmira College is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $3,166 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at EC than at Howard University (about $3,166 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($28,780 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. EC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmira College (1240) is 30 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming EC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.3% at EC.

Howard vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmira College and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Elmira College and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More EC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.