Howard University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Howard University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

53.4%

Admission Difficulty for Howard University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Average
Applicant Competition		Average

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Howard is 53.4%. Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in District Of Columbia.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Howard and can you get accepted?

Howard is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 10,253 out of the 19,188 who applied were admitted.

Howard University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.66. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Howard?

53% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Howard University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.66 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1170 on the SAT
Score 23 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Howard GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.66

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Howard University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Howard are to have around a 3.66 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Howard accepts 53% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Howard is 3.66 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Howard is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Howard University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	6.4%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	37.7%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	33.8%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	14.4%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	7.4%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.3%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Howard SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Howard University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 31% of students submitted SAT scores and 13% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1050-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT

31%

SAT Scores for Howard University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	540
Math 25th Percentile	510
Composite 25th Percentile	1050

SAT Scores for Howard University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	650
Math 75th Percentile	640
Composite 75th Percentile	1290
Average SAT Score	1170

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Howard University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Howard is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1290. Students who get into Howard University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers.. Howard ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Howard regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Howard University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1170, you have around a 53% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 68% chance of getting in.

Howard University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1290 and Above	Good	>68%
1170 to 1290	Avg +	53%-68%
1050 to 1170	Avg -	37%-53%
930 to 1050	Reach	24%-37%
Less than 930	Low	<24%

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Howard ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

20-26

Applicants Submitting ACT

13%

ACT Scores for Howard University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	20
Math 25th Percentile	18
Composite 25th Percentile	20

ACT Scores for Howard University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	27
Math 75th Percentile	25
Composite 75th Percentile	26
Average ACT Score	23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Howard?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Howard is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 26. The school ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

13 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Howard University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Howard University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Howard for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 53% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 68% with a 26 ACT score.

Howard University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26 and Above	Good	>68%
23 to 26	Avg +	53%-68%
20 to 23	Avg -	37%-53%
17 to 20	Reach	24%-37%
Less than 17	Low	<24%

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High School Class Rank

59% of Howard University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 18% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Howard University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	18%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	91%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Howard University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	12,911	5,882	19,188
Accepted	7,042	2,945	10,253
Acceptance Rate	55%	50%	53%
Enrolled	1,837	656	2,493
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	22%	24%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 84 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Howard University is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Howard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Howard University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Howard University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Howard is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.66 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1170 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1290 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 23 on the ACT places you in a strong position.