Howard vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Gettysburg College? 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 Gettysburg College than Howard ($32,769 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 7% lower than at Howard University ($16,110 vs. $17,322).
• Gettysburg College is 86.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $30,830 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.1% higher at Gettysburg College than at Howard University (about $30,830 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Gettysburg College (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 131.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($49,191 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gettysburg College (1370) is 160 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Gettysburg College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Howard has a higher acceptance rate (41.3%) than Gettysburg College (38.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

Howard vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Gettysburg College? 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).

• Gettysburg College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Gettysburg College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.