Howard University is a private historically black research university in Washington, D.C with an acceptance rate of 36%.
The University was established in 1867, and from its inception, Howard has been unsectarian and open to people of all races and sexes. The University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in over 120 programs, which is more than any other HBCU in the nation.
It has a total enrollment of 7,857 undergraduates as of the fall of 2020. The University setting is urban, and the campus size is 257 acres. The University utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
At Howard University, which by the way is a historically black college situated in the District of Columbia, all UG students must complete a university-wide core curriculum. Compulsory courses consist of those in English composition and Afro-American studies.
Outside of class, students might choose to get involved in one of the school’s many student organizations, including academic clubs, sororities, and fraternities.
The commercial radio station WHUR-FM 96.3 is located in Howard. It’s a student-run station, WHBC, runs on an HD Radio subcarrier for WHUR-FM. Another media outlet is the public television station WHUT-TV, which is on campus next to WHUR-FM.
Howard University Campuses
Howard major campus which is known as “The Mecca”, is located in northwest Washington, D. C. Major developments, additions, and changes have occurred at the school.
Several historic landmarks can be found on campus, such as the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall, Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, and the Founders Library.
Howard University offers several student services, including placement service, nonremedial tutoring, health insurance, and health service. Howard University also provides campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc.).
The university has its own stop on the city’s public transportation system, the Metro, and students are also permitted to bring their cars to school. Though, freshmen, are not eligible for campus parking.
Howard University has eight residence halls for students:
- Cook Hall (male freshmen)
- College Hall North (female freshmen)
- Drew Hall (male freshmen)
- The Harriet Tubman Quadrangle – “Quad” (female freshmen)
- Plaza Towers West (co-ed, undergraduates)
- Bethune Annex (co-ed, undergraduates)
- Plaza Towers East (co-ed, undergraduates)
- and College Hall South (co-ed).
There are more than 200 student organizations and special interest groups established on campus.
Howard University Faculties and Degree Programs
Howard University offers several degree programs and they have up to 13 schools and colleges:
- College of Engineering and Architecture
- College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences
- College of Pharmacy
- Howard University College of Arts and Sciences
- Howard University College of Dentistry
- Howard University School of Business
- Howard University School of Communications
- Howard University College of Medicine
- Howard University School of Law
- Middle School of Mathematics and Science
- School of Divinity
- School of Education
- School of Social Work
Howard University has many graduate programs as well, including those in the School of Law, School of Business, College of Medicine, and College of Engineering and Architecture.
The University has 46% of its classes with less than 20 students, making the student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The most popular majors at Howard University include: Political Science and Government, Biology/Biological Sciences, Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism, Communication, Kinesiology, Sports, and Physical Education/Fitness, Finance, Psychology, Computer Science; Nursing. The average freshman retention rate is 89%, which is great and means students enjoy the school well enough to return.
Rankings of Howard University
QS Global World Ranking ranked the university 651-700th in their global list. The Times Higher Education also has ranked it 201–250th in their World University Rankings for 2021, which is the highest among other agencies.
Howard University Ranking are:
- Ranked 251–300th in Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2021
- Ranked 651-700th in QS Global World Ranking 2021
- Ranked 1103th in CWUR World Rankings for 2021
- Ranked 80th in National Universities by US News for 2021
- Ranked 60th in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities in the US for 2021
Howard University Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate for Howard University is 36%. This makes Howard a selective institution. Out of 21,009 applicants that applied in the fall of 2019, only 7,561 (36%) were accepted into Howard.
Howard University Admission Requirement
These are the admission requirements you must meet to be granted admission.
- SAT score between 1130 and 1260 or an ACT score of 22 and 26.
- Average GPA of 3.6.
- Transcript of High School record.
- Essay.
- Recommendation letter.
The application deadline is usually Feb. 15 and the application fee is $45.
Howard University Tuition Fees
The tuition fee for the university is $28,916 for In-state tuition and fees and $37,202 for Out-of-state tuition and fees.
Other fees such as the room and board are $14,678, and for room only, it is $9,300.
| Residency | TUITION FEE (annual) |
| In-state | $28,916 |
| Out-of-state | $37,202 |
| Room and board | $14,678 |
| Room only | $9,300 |
Student life At Howard University
There are a lot of fun activities to do at Howard University. Howard University is the founding location of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and five of the nine NPHC organizations. The Alpha Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta were all founded on Howard’s campus.
Then you have the Howard Homecoming week. Howard Homecoming week is the most prominent and biggest cultural tradition at Howard. More than 100,000 students, alumni, and even celebrity guests, and visitors attend to support the many events and attractions associated with the festive week on and near campus. It takes place every fall semester with a new theme developed by the homecoming committee.
And as Spring is ending, there is Resfest week. Resfest week is all about freshmen living in residence halls on campus competing in several organized competitions (academic debate, field day, step-show, stroll, etc) for campus bragging rights.
And for formal occasions, there is the Bison Ball. The Bison Ball and Excellence Awards is a yearly black-tie gala hosted by the Howard University Student Association (HUSA). A select number of students, organizations, faculty, and administrators from the Howard community are honored for their extraordinary accomplishments. This event also takes place near the end of every spring semester.
As a student at Howard University, you are certain you will have a full, joyous, fun experience every year.
Scholarship At Howard University
These are the scholarship, grants, aid options you will find at Howard University. This will help reduce your financial burden as a student at Howard University.
Howard University Freshman Scholarships (Hufs)
Only available to incoming freshmen. The criteria for the scholarship may change every year. No application is required, and qualification for merit-based awards is solely based on students’ SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA that are entered into the system by the Office of Admissions.
Allocations for HUFS Transfer scholarships might change every year as well. This means funding might not be available every year for new transfer students. Though, transfer students who previously qualified and received the HUFS Transfer awards can continue to receive them as long as they are meet the conditions drawn in their contracts for renewal.
Students can accept their HUFS scholarships by accepting the Terms and Conditions on their BisonWeb portal, and also signing and submitting the HUFS Acceptance Agreement to the Office of Financial Aid before the deadline.
HUFS awards expire after 4 years of enrollment or if the undergraduate student graduates before completing 4 years. The cumulative GPA requirements and full-time earned credits are outlined in the eligibility requirements of the individual contracts.
Martha and Bruce Karsh STEM Scholars Program
In 2017, Howard established the Bison STEM Scholars Program to grow the number of underrepresented minorities with sophisticated research careers in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.
These Scholars are given full scholarships and devoted to earning a Ph.D. or a combined MD–Ph.D. in a STEM discipline. This highly competitive program only accepts roughly 30 undergraduate students annually for each new cohort.
As of 2020, the Bison STEM Scholars Program has been renamed the Martha and Bruce Karsh Stem Scholars Program (KSSP) to honor the $10 million donations from the family’s foundation.
FAQ on Howard University
When will I be notified of the admission decision?
Your application file can’t be reviewed until all your credentials have been received in both the CDCAS and the online Howard University graduate application system. Ensure to request original transcripts from all institutions you attended and take the GRE early.
You should check occasionally to confirm that your credentials are received.
When is my application reviewed at Howard University?
Applications are reviewed once a month after the file is complete. To ensure a timely response, apply and submit all credentials early. Once a decision has been made, you will receive immediate notification by e-mail and an official notification by mail.
I want to transfer to Howard. What courses will you accept? What about clinical hours?
Students may transfer 6 credits of graduate courses from another institution. Once enrolled, your transcript will be reviewed to determine the courses. The university will also review your clinical hours to determine their suitability.
