Howard University Tuition and Fees

Howard University Tuition and Fees

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      By Jennifer Calonia

      (Last Updated – 09/2023)

      Total Cost of Attendance

      Howard University, located in Washington, DC., is a private, nonprofit college. It’s ranked among the top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. because of its rigorous pre-professional programs. Howard University tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $31,050 for both in- and out-of-state students.

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $31,050

      $31,050

      Books & Supplies

      $1,360

      $1,360

      Room & Board

      $15,880

      $15,880

      Other Expenses

      $3,160

      $3,160

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $51,450

      $51,450

      Financial Aid

      Nearly all students (99%) received some form of financial aid to cover Howard University costs, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Ninety-nine percent of first-time Howard students received federal aid, and 43% of students were awarded Pell Grants, which is a federal student loan program for students who demonstrate an exceptional financial need.

      Explore financial aid options: Washington D.C. Student Loan & Scholarships.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

      The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

      •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

      •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

      •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

      •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

      Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

      You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

      •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

      •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

      Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

      Private Student Loans

      Private student loans are a funding option that can help students bridge the gap between federal financial aid and the cost of attendance. In 2020-21, 7% of Howard students took out non-federal student loans.

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

      What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

      Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

      Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

      Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

      The projected price of a four-year degree from Howard University is $138,917, based on 2023-24 tuition prices using the NCES multi-year tuition calculator. For comparison, the national average cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree at a private institution is $218,000, according to the Education Data Initiative.

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      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $31,050

      $31,050

      Room & Board

      $15,880

      $15,880

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $46,930

      $46,930

      The total cost of Howard University tuition and fees, plus room and board expenses was $46,930 in 2022-23. In-state and out-of-state undergraduate students pay the same amount. For comparison, the average cost to attend a private nonprofit institution is $54,501, according to the Education Data Initiative.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $36,022

      $36,022

      Howard University offers graduate degrees in more than 30 disciplines and 100 specializations including computer science, business, and nursing. In 2022-23, Howard University graduate school tuition and fees was $35,556 per year. For comparison, students who earn a master’s degree from a two-year program at a private, nonprofit institution spend a total of $62,100 in tuition and fees. Graduate students can explore graduate loans to help cover these costs.

      Cost per Credit Hour

      For the 2022-23 academic year, the estimated cost per credit hour is $1,274. To graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Howard, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits. The cost to earn a Howard undergrad degree is an estimated $152,880.

      Certificates

      Howard University offers graduate-level, interdisciplinary certificate programs taught by industry experts and Howard faculty. The programs are designed for professionals who want to continue their education but not necessarily pursue a full masters degree. Some certificate courses may be transferable into a Howard graduate degree program. Topics include cyber security and international studies. Students enrolled in the graduate certificate program pay the per-credit-hour rate of $1,930. The cyber security certificate, for example, requires 15 credit hours and can be completed in as little as two semesters.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      On-Campus

      Off-Campus

      Books & Supplies

      $1,360

      $1,360

      Room & Board

      $15,880

      $18,380*

      Other Expenses

      $3,160

      $8,736

      *Based on one-bedroom (or studio, etc) pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on Howard University off-campus housing website in 2023.

      Howard University has nine housing options on campus, and two residence apartments that are located off-campus. First- and second-year students, as well as transfer students, are guaranteed housing assignments on campus, if desired.

      Students can also choose to live in off-campus housing that isn’t affiliated with the school. This option, however, might require a 12-month lease commitment, which could be more expensive than room and board on campus. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Washington, D.C. is $2,327 for a 745-square-foot apartment. To explore the options, see Howard University’s off-campus housing site.

      Howard University Acceptance Rate

      Fall 2023

      Number of applications

      19,188

      Number accepted

      10,169

      Percentage Accepted

      53%

      In fall 2022, the Howard University acceptance rate was 53%. It is a somewhat competitive university with 10,169 students accepted of the 19,188 who applied.

      Admission Requirements

      Students who are interested in applying to Howard University for the fall term must submit their applications by February 15. First-time college students applying to Howard must meet certain basic eligibility requirements for admissions, which includes submitting their GPA and high school transcript along with additional information listed below:

      Required:

      •  High school GPA

      •  High school transcript

      •  Letter of recommendation

      Recommended:

      •  Formal demonstration of competencies

      SAT and ACT Scores

      SAT and ACT scores weren’t required for students who applied for Howard University admissions during the 2022-23 school year. The school guarantees that students who choose not to submit scores are not at a disadvantage for doing so. This admissions policy doesn’t apply for joint-degree programs (e.g. BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD). In fall 2022, 31% of Howard applicants submitted SAT scores and 13% submitted ACT scores as part of their application.

      Though there are no required test scores for admissions, here are the scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentile:

      Subject

      25th Percentile

      75th Percentile

      SAT Evidence-Based
      Reading/Writing

      540

      650

      SAT Math

      510

      640

      ACT Composite

      20

      26

      ACT English

      20/td>

      27

      ACT Math

      18

      25

      Graduation Rate

      Finishing off the top 10 most popular majors is within Howard’s College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. It offers programs in nursing, physical therapy, health management, and more.

      •  52

      •  64

      •  65

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      Ten years after earning their degrees, students who graduated from Howard University had median earnings of $59,441. This is slightly above the national average salary of $55,260 for college graduates.

      Bottom Line

      Howard University is a prestigious historically Black university, known for strong academic curriculum and student engagement. Compared to the average cost of a private, nonprofit institution, the Howard University cost of tuition and fees are relatively low at $31,050 for an academic year.

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      Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd

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