Howard vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Howard vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Howard ($29,325 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 8.6% lower than at Howard University ($15,834 vs. $17,322).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $11,695 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at Jefferson than at Howard University (about $11,695 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 64.6% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($35,007 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Howard vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $71,100 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($12,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($129 vs. $279).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.