Howard vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Hope 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 Hope College than Howard ($30,700 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 25.2% lower than at Howard University ($12,950 vs. $17,322).
• Hope College is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $6,160 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.2% higher at Hope College than at Howard University (about $6,160 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Hope College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 17.3% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($24,945 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 10 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Howard vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hope College and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hope College and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.