Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Howard admits about 1 in 2 applicants (42%). That puts it in the "Selective" tier, more selective than 88% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (40% and 42%).
$45 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
District of Columbia applicants were admitted at 39%, applicants from other states at 41%, and international applicants at 60%.
All applicants in the same class: 42%
Of those admitted, 19% from District of Columbia enrolled, against 16% from other states and 8.2% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
16% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 637 accepted a place; admissions from it not published
Applying early
Early decision: 84% admitted
363 of 430 early applicants; 42% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 30
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 15; decisions by Dec 30
Where you stand
How Howard reads a record
, GPA, and tests are all very important; class rank is considered. 50% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight. Scores are optional. 47% of first-years sent an SAT and 15% an ACT. Recommends 4 years of English, 3 of math, 2 of science, and 2 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Very important | ||||
| Essay | Considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Not considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
69% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 42% of first-year applicants
902 applied · 622 admitted · 194 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 15 d completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.5
Minimum high school GPA: 3.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date November 1, apply by November 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date April 1, apply by April 15, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Not required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 1 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 15. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by April 15.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $500 housing deposit, due June 17, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: One Year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 3 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 2) | 2 | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 | 2 |
| Academic electives | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 17 | 17 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Started considering work experience in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.68
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.07%
- 3.75–3.9943%
- 3.50–3.7430%
- 3.25–3.4913%
- 3.00–3.246%
- below 3.01%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.50–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 7.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 43.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 30.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 13.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 6.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 1.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Howard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1165 on the SAT, right around the national median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
45% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1000–1199.
47% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 18–23.
12% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
42% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
19% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
38% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 18–23.
Shares of the 47% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 15% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
1,163 studentssubmitted ACT
385 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Howard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Howard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Howard University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Howard University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)