Howard vs. TU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Towson University in Towson, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 14,890 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Towson University 14:1.

Howard vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or TU? 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 Towson University than Howard ($16,653 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Towson University are 6.1% lower than at Howard University ($16,260 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 205.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $24,082 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at Howard than at Towson University (about $5,990 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 79.9% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($21,262 vs. $11,820).

Howard vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 120 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Howard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Howard (3.66).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 18.2% at TU.

Howard vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and TU? 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.

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.