Howard vs. Wagner College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Wagner College in Staten Island, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Wagner College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,001 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Wagner College is in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wagner College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Wagner College 11:1.

Howard vs. Wagner College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Wagner 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 Wagner College than Howard ($28,033 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wagner College are 4.8% lower than at Howard University ($16,485 vs. $17,322).
• Wagner College is 48.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $17,390 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at Wagner College than at Howard University (about $17,390 more per year; $53,200.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wagner College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wagner College students is 78.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($37,897 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Wagner College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wagner College (1240) is 30 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Wagner College (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Wagner College 1190/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Wagner College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Wagner College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Wagner College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Wagner College (3.5).
• Wagner College has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 20.1% at Wagner College.

Howard vs. Wagner College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Wagner 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).

• Wagner College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Wagner College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wagner College graduates have a $621 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,379 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wagner College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($272 vs. $279).
• More Wagner 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.