Howard vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Liberty University is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 14,890 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Howard vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Liberty University? 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 Liberty University than Howard ($29,532 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Liberty University are 20.1% lower than at Howard University ($13,835 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 59.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $13,345 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at Howard than at Liberty University (about $13,345 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Liberty University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 70.2% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($21,262 vs. $12,489).

Howard vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Liberty University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Liberty University and Howard.

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 60 points higher than at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at Liberty University (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Liberty University (3.56).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Howard vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Liberty University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Liberty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($24,166 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More Liberty University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.