Howard vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Rutgers University-Newark based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 11,315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University Newark than Howard ($18,276 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Newark are 7.2% lower than at Howard University ($16,074 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 107.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers University-Newark (about $18,560 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $17,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Howard University (about $952 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Rutgers University Newark (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Rutgers University Newark students ($21,262 vs. $17,405).

Howard vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 60 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Howard students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Rutgers University-Newark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Rutgers University-Newark has a higher acceptance rate (71.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

Howard vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Rutgers University-Newark? 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $4,785 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($22,215 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($229 vs. $279).
• More Rutgers University-Newark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.