Howard vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Fisher based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,693 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); St. John Fisher University is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; St. John Fisher University 11:1.

Howard vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Fisher? 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 St. John Fisher University than Howard ($30,540 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 13.9% lower than at Howard University ($14,908 vs. $17,322).
• St. John Fisher University is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $5,380 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Fisher than at Howard University (about $5,380 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($24,530 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is the same as at Fisher (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Fisher (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Fisher (3.53).
• Fisher has a higher acceptance rate (66.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

Howard vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Fisher? 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.