Howard vs. Xavier

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Xavier based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 5,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Xavier University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Xavier University 10:1.

Howard vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Xavier? 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 Howard University than Xavier ($33,368 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Xavier University are 19.6% lower than at Howard University ($13,920 vs. $17,322).
• Xavier University is 41.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $14,830 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at Xavier than at Howard University (about $14,830 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 50.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($32,088 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Xavier Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is the same as at Xavier (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Xavier (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Xavier University 1103/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Xavier University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Xavier - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

Howard vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Xavier? 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).

• Xavier University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Xavier University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Xavier University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Xavier University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.