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Colleges / Howard University

Howard University

Washington, DC 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate35%
Acceptance Rate35%

Howard University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Howard University was $30,584 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 7.5%–from $28,450 the previous year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Howard University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Howard University is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of DC as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other DC colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Howard University?

Howard University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Howard University:

•On-campus jobs •Howard University-specific loans •Athletic Awards •Howard University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Howard University Room, Board, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Howard University.

Room and Board Costs at Howard University

Housing and campus dining at Howard University costs $15,580 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Howard University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $12,484.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Howard University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Howard University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city may be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Howard University campus is located in a urban setting in DC, not far from Washington.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Financial Breakdown for Howard University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Howard University.

How Much Does Howard University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Howard University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $30,584
Room and Board $15,580
Board Only $5,896
Other expenses $2,160

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $50,150
Off-Campus $44,316

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Howard University


The majority of Howard University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 7,026 of the 8,964 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Howard University meets 61.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $22,925 a year. Around 73% of Howard University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Howard University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,680 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $22,079
Private Loans $35,588
Most Common Loans for Howard University Students
Federal Loans 72%
Private loans 14%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Howard University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Howard University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Howard University awarded 5,857 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $106.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.86 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Howard University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Howard University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Howard University was $22,925 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Howard University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $27,225
Off-Campus $21,391

What will attending Howard University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Howard University's net cost calculator on their website.

Howard University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Howard University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Howard University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Howard University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Howard University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others are saying about Howard University in the College Confidential forums

Howard University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$42,871

In State

$42,871

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$24,966
$24,966
Fees
$2,240
$2,240
Housing
$14,365
$14,365
Books
$1,300
$1,300

Howard University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

70%

Average Financial Aid Package

$23,795

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

12,065

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

35%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$27,206

Out-of-State

$27,206

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Feb 15
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