Howard vs. Roger Williams University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Roger Williams University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 4,350 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Roger Williams University is in Bristol, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roger Williams University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Roger Williams University 10:1.

Howard vs. Roger Williams University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Roger Williams 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 Howard University than Roger Williams University ($33,368 vs. $38,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Roger Williams University are 1.2% lower than at Howard University ($17,112 vs. $17,322).
• Roger Williams University is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $8,608 more per year; $44,418.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Roger Williams University than at Howard University (about $8,608 more per year; $44,418.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roger Williams University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roger Williams University students is 9.1% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($23,192 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Roger Williams University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Roger Williams University? 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 Roger Williams University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roger Williams University (1230) is 20 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Roger Williams University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Roger Williams University 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Roger Williams University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Roger Williams University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Roger Williams University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Roger Williams University (3.43).
• Roger Williams University has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 13% at Roger Williams University.

Howard vs. Roger Williams University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Roger Williams University? 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Roger Williams University's (59%).
• Graduates from Roger Williams 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, Roger Williams University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roger Williams University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roger Williams University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.