Howard vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Saint Joseph's University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 7,159 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

Howard vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Saint Joseph's 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than Howard ($31,205 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 6.2% lower than at Howard University ($16,240 vs. $17,322).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is 48.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $17,450 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Saint Joseph's University than at Howard University (about $17,450 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students is 73.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($36,964 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Saint Joseph's 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 Saint Joseph's University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (1260) is 50 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Saint Joseph's 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; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

Howard vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Saint Joseph's 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.

• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia graduates have a $3,992 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,008 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Joseph's University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Saint Joseph's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.