Howard University

For Fall 2025, 37,270 first-year students applied to Howard, 15,724 were admitted and 2,490 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 42.2%.

Source: Howard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.

By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025

Source: Howard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.

By school or major. Howard publishes no acceptance rate by school or major. Its Office of Admission says students are generally admitted into their first or second choice major, as named on the Common App.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Undergraduate Academic Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Early decision. Early decision counts as the 2025-2026 Common Data Set reports them; they are part of the totals above. Howard also has a nonbinding early action plan, but the Common Data Set does not report early action counts, so there is no early action acceptance rate.

Early decision, Fall 2025

Source: Howard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

You name a first and second choice major on the Common App. Some programs ask for more:

• Art (Studio Art). A portfolio of 12 to 15 images and videos of original work, sent through SlideRoom.
• Theatre Arts. Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre applicants send a recorded audition, take part in a live audition and must apply by November 1. Theatre Arts Administration and Theatre Technology applicants may apply by the February 1 Regular Decision deadline.
• Music. A voice or instrument audition, by appointment; recordings are accepted from applicants who cannot audition in person.
• Architecture & Design Studies. A portfolio of one to three examples of creative work (graphic, written or audiovisual), sent through SlideRoom or your Howard admissions portal.
• BS/MD and BS/DDS programs. An additional program essay in the Common App writing section. The test-optional policy does not extend to the joint degree programs (BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD).

Art, Theatre Arts and Music applicants are admitted conditionally until the department reviews the portfolio or audition, so Howard asks them to think carefully about their second choice major.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Domestic First Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

50 majors across 8 schools. Every undergraduate major Howard's Office of Admission lists, grouped by the school or college that offers it, with Howard's program code, which begins with the degree. Concentrations are noted under each major; minors are left out.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

Documents (test scores, recommendations, records) are due by the same date as the application. Admitted students reply and deposit by May 1. Early applications still incomplete after November 1 move to Regular Decision. You apply through the Common App, with a $45 fee or a Common App fee waiver. Howard has no spring entry for first-year students.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Domestic First Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Early decision is binding and is for students whose first choice is Howard: you may apply to other colleges, but early decision to only one, and if admitted you generally must withdraw all other applications. If you seek aid, you need not withdraw them until you hear about financial aid, and if Howard has not met your full need, enrollment is not required. Your counselor and a parent sign the ED Agreement.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Domestic First Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

For the 2026-27 admission cycle, SAT and ACT scores are not required, and students who do not send them are not at a disadvantage, including for the Karsh STEM program and for scholarships. The joint degree programs (BS/MD, BS/DDS, BA/JD) are not covered. Only official scores sent by the testing agency count; scores you enter yourself, counselor reports and scores on transcripts are not considered. Howard does not superscore the ACT. October is the last test date considered for early applicants and December for Regular Decision.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Domestic First Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted.

Source: Howard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028

Not announced yet. When we checked Howard's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.

Source: Howard Office of Admission, Domestic First Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

The published cost of a year at Howard, 2026-2027:

For a full-time undergraduate living on campus, fall and spring.

Source: Howard University Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1 and G5. Read Oct 1, 2026.

Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:

What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Howard's aid offer.

Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Chosen for how close each is to Howard University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.

• Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, GA · Private44% admitted$39,013 average net price
• George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private47.1% admitted$36,586 average net price
• Clark UniversityWorcester, MA · Private40.5% admitted$28,714 average net price
• Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA · Private45.4% admitted$35,736 average net price
• Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA · Private47.9% admitted$50,062 average net price

Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.