Howard vs. Rider University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Rider University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 4,003 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Rider University is in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Rider University 14:1.

Howard vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Rider 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 Rider University than Howard ($26,506 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rider University are 0.5% lower than at Howard University ($17,230 vs. $17,322).
• Rider University is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $5,310 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Rider University than at Howard University (about $5,310 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($29,294 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Rider University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Rider 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 Rider University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Howard University (1210) is the same as at Rider University (1210).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Rider University 1100/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Rider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Rider University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 9.1% at Rider University.

Howard vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Rider 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.

• The graduation rate at Howard is the same as at Rider University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rider University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rider University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.