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Howard University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Washington, DC🏛️ Private university📝 Test-optional

Howard University is a private institution in Washington, DC with an enrollment of nearly 13,000 students. It admits about 41% of applicants, with middle-50% test scores of 1090–1320 on the SAT. The school's strongest programs are in business, marketing, and social sciences. Graduates earn a median of $63,066 ten years after entry, with an average net price of $28,279 after financial aid.

Acceptance rate
41.3%
Enrollment
12,886
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
70%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
1090 – 1320
ACT (composite)
22 – 28
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$46,051
family income
$30–48k
$47,477
family income
$48–75k
$50,245
family income
$75–110k
$52,981
family income
$110k+
$54,270
family income
40% receive Pell grants
59% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Howard University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Business & Marketing
14.2%
Social Sciences
13.5%
Communications
11.3%
Health Professions
10.4%
Biology
10.1%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$63,066
Earnings (6 yr)
$47,379
Completion
70%
Retention
91%
Median debt
$24,500

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Howard University?

Howard University has an acceptance rate of 41.3%, making it selective.

What SAT score do you need for Howard University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1090 and 1320 on the SAT. The ACT range is 22–28.

How much does Howard University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $46,051 per year, rising to $54,270 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Howard University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.