Howard Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Washington, DC
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Howard Admission Overview
Howard admission requirements are competitive. Last year Howard admitted 41.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.66 GPA (A-) and SAT 1090-1320 / ACT 22-28. Howard is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Howard is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Howard Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for Howard University
Acceptance Rate
The Howard acceptance rate is 41.3%. Last year, 14,144 of 34,211 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in District Of Columbia and the 168th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Howard and can you get accepted?
Howard is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Howard University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.66. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Howard GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.66Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.66
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Howard typically have around a 3.66 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Howard is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Howard Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Howard University is test-optional for first-year admission in the 2026-27 cycle. Applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores and are not disadvantaged if they omit them. The same choice applies to the Karsh STEM program. Joint degree programs such as BS/MD, BS/DDS, and BA/JD still require scores. Only official SAT or ACT reports sent by the testing agency are considered, and Howard does not superscore the ACT.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.howard.edu/undergraduate/first-year
Howard SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1090-1320Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
23%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 560
- Math 530
- Composite 1090
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 650
- Composite 1320
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Howard typically score around a 1210 SAT (middle 50% 1090–1320) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 77th percentile nationally. Howard ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1090 to 1320
SAT policy
Howard is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1210 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Howard ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
22-28Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
9%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 18
- Composite 22
75th Percentile Scores
- English 29
- Math 26
- Composite 28
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Howard typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Howard places #4 among colleges in District Of Columbia for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 28
ACT policy
You may apply to Howard without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Howard chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Howard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 15, 2027Days left to Apply
168Applicants have 168 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Howard University is $45.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Howard is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 41.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.66 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1090-1320); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Howard University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=131520.
GPA calculator: Howard University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026