Overview
Founded in 1867 in the aftermath of the Civil War, Howard University was established to provide higher education for freedmen and has grown into the most prominent historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the United States. Chartered by the federal government and named after General Oliver Otis Howard, the university quickly developed strong professional schools in law, medicine, and divinity, becoming central to Black intellectual and civil rights leadership throughout the 20th century. Howard's law school played a pivotal role in the legal strategy behind Brown v. Board of Education, and the university is classified as an R1 research institution with high research activity.
At a Glance
| Type | Private Research |
| Location | Washington, District of Columbia |
| Founded | 1867 |
| Total students | 13,000 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 9:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 38% |
| Graduation rate | 68% |
| Average starting salary | $62,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $32,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $32,000 |
| Room & board | $14,500 |
| Average financial aid | $28,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 85% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 1130-1300 |
| ACT range | 22-28 |
| Average GPA | 3.6 |
| Regular deadline | January 15 |
Top Programs
- Medicine
- Law
- Communications & Journalism
- Business
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.