Howard vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,229 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Howard vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University than Howard ($25,753 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 48.6% lower than at Howard University ($8,900 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 31.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $8,510 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.2% higher at Howard than at Southern Adventist University (about $8,510 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at Southern Adventist University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 64.8% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($21,262 vs. $12,904).

Howard vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 50 points higher than at Southern Adventist University (1160).
• Incoming Howard students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Southern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• Southern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Howard vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Southern Adventist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.