Howard vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 425 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Howard vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or PHC? 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 Patrick Henry College than Howard ($25,869 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 36.4% lower than at Howard University ($11,020 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 26% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $7,385 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26% higher at Howard than at Patrick Henry College (about $7,385 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($21,262 vs. $13,345).

Howard vs. PHC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Patrick Henry College (1330) is 120 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming PHC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman PHC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Howard (3.66).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Howard vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and PHC? 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 is 63%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for PHC.
• Graduates from Howard University have median earnings of about $51,800 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for PHC.

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.