Howard vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than Howard based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 14,890 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Howard vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than Howard ($15,045 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 16.5% lower than at Howard University ($14,458 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 394.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $28,571 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.2% higher at Howard than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $13,318 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (99% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 166.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($21,262 vs. $7,966).

Howard vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 30 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Howard vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and UNC Charlotte? 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.