Howard vs. Ramapo College of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Ramapo College of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 5,981 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Ramapo College of New Jersey is in Mahwah, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Ramapo College of New Jersey 17:1.

Howard vs. Ramapo College of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Ramapo College of New Jersey? 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey than Howard ($17,566 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ramapo College of New Jersey are 1.3% lower than at Howard University ($17,102 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 113.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ramapo College of New Jersey (about $19,033 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $16,777.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at Howard than at Ramapo College of New Jersey (about $8,102 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $27,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Ramapo College of New Jersey (99% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 69% larger than aid received by Ramapo College of New Jersey students ($21,262 vs. $12,580).

Howard vs. Ramapo College of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Ramapo College of New Jersey? 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ramapo College of New Jersey (1220) is 10 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Ramapo College of New Jersey students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Ramapo College of New Jersey 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Ramapo College of New Jersey 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Ramapo College of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Ramapo College of New Jersey Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Ramapo College of New Jersey (3.47).
• Ramapo College of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 17.8% at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Howard vs. Ramapo College of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Ramapo College of New Jersey? 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.

• Ramapo College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates have a $4,154 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($22,846 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($236 vs. $279).
• More Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.