Howard vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Howard vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Howard ($18,211 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 5.1% lower than at Howard University ($16,436 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 300% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $26,857 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.5% higher at Howard than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $16,607 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at SUNY at Purchase College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 103.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($21,262 vs. $10,432).

Howard vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 70 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Howard vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.