Howard vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Roanoke College in Salem, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,804 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Howard vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College than Howard ($26,044 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roanoke College are 11.3% lower than at Howard University ($15,366 vs. $17,322).
• Roanoke College is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $2,258 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Roanoke College than at Howard University (about $2,258 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($28,188 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Howard vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Roanoke College? 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.

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.