Howard University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Washington, DC
4.8 4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

14,890

Location Washington, District Of Columbia
Website howard.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large City

Best Colleges Rank

#310

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Howard University, a historically Black university established in 1867, occupies a hilltop campus in northwest Washington, D.C., approximately two miles from the U.S. Capitol. The main campus features red brick Victorian and Georgian architecture across 256 acres, with many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As one of the nation's leading research institutions, Howard maintains competitive admission standards and is particularly recognized for its programs in business, communications, engineering, and health sciences, including its affiliated teaching hospital. The university's College of Medicine has trained a significant portion of the nation's African American physicians, while its School of Law has produced numerous notable civil rights attorneys and federal judges. Students typically reside in one of the university's traditional residence halls or modern apartment-style complexes, contributing to a residential academic community in the heart of the capital city.

Howard University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs

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Ratings

Howard is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

8 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

5 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Howard University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#310
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#230
Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

#4
Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

#4
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#497
Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

#5

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1090/1320
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 22/28
GPA 3.66

Acceptance Rate

41.3%

Applications Due Feb 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 19.4%
Application Fee $45

Applicant Competition Average

Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$35,810

Costs for Howard University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$35,810
Books and Supplies		$1,360
Other Fees		$466
Room and Board		$17,322
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,540
Total One Year Cost		$58,498

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$51,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

63% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Howard University are Business, Communication, and Social Sciences. 20% of students major in Business, 20% in Communication, and 12% in Social Sciences.