Howard vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

Howard vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Mount St. Mary's 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 Mount St. Mary's University than Howard ($23,027 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 13.1% lower than at Howard University ($15,050 vs. $17,322).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 35.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $12,820 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Howard University (about $12,820 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 91% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($40,619 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 50 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming Howard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Mount St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (73.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

Howard vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Mount St. Mary's University? 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Mount St. Mary's University 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.