Howard vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington than Howard ($21,800 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 17.7% lower than at Howard University ($14,250 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 144.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $21,170 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.9% higher at Howard than at University of Mary Washington (about $8,250 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at University of Mary Washington (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 102.7% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($21,262 vs. $10,491).

Howard vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 60 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Mary Washington College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Howard vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Mary Washington 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).

• University of Mary Washington's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary Washington graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mary Washington College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.