Howard vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Howard vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Howard ($15,522 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 17.3% lower than at Howard University ($14,332 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 307% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $27,011 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Howard than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $2,963 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 82.1% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($21,262 vs. $11,675).

Howard vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 180 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming NC State 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; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Howard (3.66).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Howard vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and NC State? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $6,218 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($20,782 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.