Howard University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Howard University was $32,878 a year.

Tuition increased 7.5% in 2023–from $30,584 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

Howard University meets 61.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Howard University is around $22,925 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $28,680 in student loans per borrower.

Does Howard University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Howard University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from DC as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as DC residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's criteria for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other DC colleges

Howard University International Student Tuition

Tuition at Howard University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Howard University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible 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.

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Howard University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Howard University.

House and Food Costs at Howard University

Room and board at Howard University is $16,474 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

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 what kinds of books and materials they require. 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 help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Howard University

The cost of transportation 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 walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. 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 an urban area is sometimes costly, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Howard Universityis located in a city in DC, near Washington.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Howard University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Howard University.

Total Cost of Howard University

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$32,878
Room and Board	$16,474
Other expenses	$2,361

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$53,539
Off-Campus	$34,704

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.

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Howard University Financial Aid

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The majority of Howard University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 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 2023, 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.

Net Cost of Howard University

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 2023. 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	$30,614
Off-Campus	$11,779

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.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Howard University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

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

Howard University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Howard University's endowment was valued at $712.4 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $21,849 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Howard University

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

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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