Howard University
A federally chartered HBCU in Washington, D.C., which says it is the only HBCU with a top Carnegie research classification.
- Acceptance rate
- 42%
- Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 14,432
- 11,084 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $37,996
- 2026-27
About Howard
Howard University was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 2, 1867 and is named for General Oliver O. Howard, who was commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. Its main campus covers 256 acres across the District of Columbia and Maryland, in Northwest Washington, D.C. Howard says it offers study in more than 130 areas across 14 schools and colleges, and that it is the only HBCU classified as a top Carnegie-designated research institution (R1), a claim taken from its own 'Howard at a glance' page.
The fall 2025 Common Data Set counts about 11,100 undergraduates and 3,300 graduate students. Howard received 37,270 first-year applications for fall 2025, admitted 15,724 (42%) and enrolled 2,490. Enrolled first-years averaged a 3.68 high school GPA, and for the 2027-28 cycle Howard is test-optional for most programs.
First-time undergraduates enter schools such as the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, the College of Engineering and Architecture and the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. Howard suits students who want to study at a historically Black university in the national capital, with pre-professional routes into medicine, dentistry, law, communications and STEM.
Veritas et Utilitas
“Truth and Service” — university motto
Why students choose Howard
Howard says it is the only HBCU with a top Carnegie research classification (R1), and it offers degrees across 14 schools and colleges, including medicine, law, dentistry and pharmacy.
The Karsh STEM Scholars Program offers a scholarship covering tuition, mandatory fees, room, board and a book allowance to STEM-focused first-years who commit to pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD.
Programs such as the Tech Exchange residency at Google and the Howard Entertainment partnership with Amazon Studios connect students directly to industry.
It sits in Washington, D.C., with the university's own hospital, public television station (WHUT-TV) and, by Howard's count, more than 200 registered student organizations.
Admissions
Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26)
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
15,724 admitted from 37,270 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Calculated from CDS C1: 15,724 of 37,270 first-time, first-year applicants admitted (42.2%); 2,490 enrolled. Howard's own admission profile page still shows the Class of 2025 (35% acceptance rate), so the CDS figure is used.
Typical entry requirements
| Recommended high school coursework | 4 years English, 3 years mathematics, 2 years social science, 2 years science (with lab), 2 years foreign language; a well-rounded curriculum is emphasized over exact units |
|---|---|
| International secondary credentials | An academic evaluation by a NACES member is required from international students who have not studied in the education systems Howard lists (including US/Canada) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 Required for applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT 90 (Howard code 5297) or IELTS overall 6.5. Waived for students from countries where English is an official language, those who studied in the US for at least four years, or those whose school documents English as the language of instruction. |
Deadlines
- Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Decisions in late December; scholarships awarded at the same time; deposit due May 1, 2027.
- Early Decision Binding In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Binding; decisions in late December; deposit due May 1, 2027.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~4 monthsFebruary 1, 2027
Decisions by early April; deposit due May 1, 2027.
Dates are from Howard's first-year application page, which states the fall 2027 undergraduate application is open. The document deadline equals the application deadline; EA and ED applicants with incomplete files after November 1 move to the regular pool, and incomplete RD files after February 1 receive no decision.
How to apply
Apply through the Common Application ($45 fee; Common App fee waiver accepted). Submit the official high school transcript from your counselor, one counselor letter and one teacher letter, the main essay (plus an optional Howard essay) and, optionally, SAT/ACT scores. FAFSA (school code 001448) for aid; international applicants file the ISFAA. Howard does not offer spring entry for first-time-in-college applicants.
What admissions looks for
- A holistic review of the secondary school academic record, standardized tests if submitted, leadership in school and community, and unique talents and interests.
- A well-balanced college-preparatory program rather than specific unit counts.
- Strong personal motivation together with consistent academic growth and achievement.
- Two recommendations (one counselor, one teacher) and the Common App essay to show passions, goals and interest in Howard.
Tips for applying to Howard
- 1 Decide early whether to submit scores: a test score not on file by the document deadline means a decision on the rest of your file, with no later appeal.
- 2 Apply Early Action if you want an early decision date and scholarship consideration; Early Decision is binding and only for students whose first choice is Howard.
- 3 File the FAFSA by Howard's November 1 priority date to be considered for all available aid.
- 4 BS/MD and BS/DDS applicants need an additional program essay and are not covered by the test-optional policy.
- 5 International students should start the NACES credential evaluation and the ISFAA early, since these must be complete before admission or an aid offer.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Howard University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Howard requires the FAFSA (priority deadline November 1) for U.S. students. International students apply for institutional aid, including Howard University Freshman Scholarships, through the ISFAA. In the Common Data Set, 447 degree-seeking nonresident undergraduates received institutional aid averaging $27,544. Karsh STEM Scholars receive tuition, mandatory fees, room, board and a book allowance.
- 447, average $27,544
- Nonresident undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)
- Tuition, fees, room, board and book allowance
- Karsh STEM Scholars award
- $66,182 (includes $1,256 in estimated federal loan fees); off campus $74,050
- Estimated 2026-27 cost of attendance, on campus
- November 1
- FAFSA priority deadline
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Karsh STEM Scholars Program
Full-cost scholarship for STEM-focused first-years who commit to a PhD or MD-PhD.
Cathy Hughes School of Communications
Howard says it produces the most Black bachelor's graduates in communications and journalism, and it runs the Annenberg Honors Program.
Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Named for the actor, who studied directing at Howard.
Tech Exchange
A residency at Google's Mountain View campus in partnership with Howard.
Howard Entertainment
A partnership with Amazon Studios to diversify the entertainment talent pipeline.
Joint degree programs (BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD)
Accelerated routes into professional schools, outside the test-optional policy.
Research
- Howard says it is the only HBCU classified as R1 (Doctoral Universities: very high research activity) by Carnegie.
- Research areas Howard highlights include nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, human genome research and atmospheric science.
- Howard is one of seven institutions in NASA's program on the design of deep-space habitats, and Howard University Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business
- Cathy Hughes School of Communications
- College of Dentistry
- School of Divinity
- School of Education
- College of Engineering and Architecture
- Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
- Graduate School
- School of Law
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences
- College of Pharmacy
- School of Social Work
Student life
Howard's main campus sits in Northwest Washington, D.C., and the university describes more than 200 registered student organizations, 19 Division I sports (its fact sheet lists the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), and its own public television station, WHUT-TV. The university has nine residence halls on campus and three university-sponsored residence halls in off-campus apartment buildings, and first-year students are typically guaranteed housing. Its motto, Veritas et Utilitas, or Truth and Service, is tied to community service programs and Alternative Spring Break trips.
- More than 200 registered student organizations.
- Howard's fact sheet lists 19 Division I sports and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
- According to Howard, WHUT-TV (founded 1980) was the first African-American-owned public television station in the nation.
- Alternative Spring Break immerses students in service in other communities.
Housing. Nine on-campus residence halls plus three university-sponsored off-campus residence halls; first-year students are typically guaranteed housing.
Location
Howard's main campus is in Northwest Washington, D.C., with dedicated campuses for the School of Law, the School of Divinity and research facilities. Howard University Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, is part of the university.
Notable alumni
- KH Kamala HarrisVice President of the United States 2021-2025; Howard graduate
- TM Thurgood MarshallFirst African-American justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; graduated from Howard University School of Law (1933)
- TM Toni MorrisonNovelist and 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate; B.A. in English, 1953
- CB Chadwick BosemanActor and playwright (1976-2020); BFA in directing from Howard (2000)
- TP Taraji P. HensonActress; transferred to Howard to study drama
- RF Roberta FlackSinger and pianist (1937-2025); entered Howard at 15 on a music scholarship and graduated at 19
- TC Ta-Nehisi CoatesAuthor and journalist; attended Howard for five years without completing a degree
Frequently asked questions
What is Howard University's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Howard admitted 15,724 of 37,270 first-year applicants, an acceptance rate of about 42%, according to its Common Data Set.
Does Howard require the SAT or ACT?
Not for fall 2027 entry in most programs: Howard is test-optional. Joint degree programs (BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD) are not covered by the test-optional policy, but the Karsh STEM program is.
What are Howard's deadlines for fall 2027?
Early Action and Early Decision are due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision is due February 1, 2027. Early Decision is binding.
How much does Howard cost?
For 2026-27, tuition is $37,996 and Howard estimates an on-campus cost of attendance of $66,182, including housing and food of about $21,000.
Can international students get aid at Howard?
International students are not eligible for federal aid but can apply for institutional aid, including Howard University Freshman Scholarships, using the ISFAA. In the CDS, 447 nonresident undergraduates received institutional aid averaging $27,544.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- Howard University Admission: Undergraduate first-year application
- Howard University Admission: International first-year application
- Howard University Admission: Admission policy
- Howard University Admission: Admission profile
- Howard University Admission: Financial support
- Howard University: 2026-2027 estimated cost of attendance
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