Howard vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Maryland College Park is in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; University of Maryland College Park 17:1.

Howard vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Maryland? 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 Maryland College Park than Howard ($16,581 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 7.9% lower than at Howard University ($15,958 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 203.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $24,001 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Maryland than at Howard University (about $5,376 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at University of Maryland College Park (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 65.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($21,262 vs. $12,867).

Howard vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 260 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

Howard vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Maryland? 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 Maryland College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Maryland 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.