Howard University (HU) is one of the top private research universities in the USA with 14 schools and colleges, founded in 1867. In the 2025 edition of US News & Reports rankings, it is ranked at #86 position. HU has around 9,689 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from 45 US States, District of Columbia and 9 international countries. The university has an overall acceptance rate of 35%.
Howard University offers over 143 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees through its main campus in Washington D.C. The university is known for delivering quality education in STEM fields. MS in Computer Science, M.Eng in Civil Engineering, MS in Medical Physics, and LLM are among the flagship programs of this university. HU also offers nationally ranked programs in Social work, Business and Communications. Howard University fees for Indian students range from 42,122 to 46,020 USD (36.08 to 39.41 lakhs INR) per year for graduate programs. To get into these programs, students need a bachelor degree with 3.0 GPA (83-86%).
To know more about pros and cons, read Howard University Reviews.
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Howard University offers 143 courses at different study levels in nearly 130 disciplines. Some of the top courses and fees of Howard University include the following:
The Howard University School of Business offers a full-time, 2-years MBA program to all persons holding a bachelors degree, or its equivalent, along with a minimum 2 years of work experience. Candidates can choose from full-time MBA, Accelerated Flex MBA, and Dual Degree MBA programs. The admission requirements of the Howard MBA program are as follows:
Howard University MBA Fees: 39,410 USD per year
MBA Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 (Fall admission only)
Howard University Application Portal: Online
Application Fee: 123 USD
Howard University acceptance rate is 35%. As per the latest information provided by the university, the admission statistics are as follows:
International students can apply for Howard University admissions in 3 application plans. Howard University application deadlines for undergraduate programs in 2026 are as follows:
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Decision By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1, 2025 | November 15, 2025 | Late December 2025 |
| Early Decision | November 1, 2025 | November 15, 2025 | Late December 2025 |
| Theatre Arts (Acting, Dance & Musical Theatre majors ONLY) | November 1, 2025 | November 15, 2025 | Late December 2025 |
| Regular Decision | February 1, 2026 | February 15, 2026 | Early April 2026 |
Howard University application deadlines for graduate programs vary depending on the program. The majority of the programs are now closed for Fall 2025 intake (final deadline was on April 15, 2025). Applications will open in November 2025, for 2026 intakes in USA.
Read More: Application Deadlines for US Universities
Howard University admission requirements for international students are follows:
| Requirement | Postgraduate (PG) | Undergraduate (UG) |
|---|---|---|
| Howard University Portal | Course specific online application | Common App |
| Application Fee | 75 USD (123 USD for MBA) | 45 USD |
| Academic Transcripts | From college/university with credential evaluation and English translation | Grades 9 to 12 |
| Eligibility | Minimum 3.0 GPA (83%–86%) or equivalent | 3.66 GPA or 92% (average) |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2–3 Letters of Recommendation | 1 Letter of Recommendation |
| Financial Documents | May be required depending on funding or visa requirements | ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application), Statement of Financial Resources Form |
| Statement of Purpose / Essay | Statement of Purpose; Autobiographical Sketch (for some programs) | Not typically required, unless for scholarships |
| English Language Proficiency | TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Standardized Test Scores | Not usually required unless specified by program | SAT: 1184 (avg) | ACT: 24 (avg) |
Also Read: How to Apply to US Universities in 2025?
Howard University cost of attendance is the estimated cost to attend one year of college. The components include tuition, fees, housing, food, transportation, books and supplies, personal expenses, and other costs, depending on individual choices. The below tabulated estimated costs will help you to get an idea of how much money is required to pay for Howard University cost.
| Expense Type | Cost in USD |
|---|---|
| Tuition (avg) | 37,996 |
| Mandatory Fees | 940 |
| Housing | 12,380 |
| Food | 6,602 |
| Books and Supplies | 1,220 |
| Transportation | 1,154 |
| Persona/ Miscellaneous | 2,494 |
| Loan Fees | 36 to 1,320 |
| Total | 64,142 |
Note: The estimated costs above are for a full-time, on-campus undergraduate student for 1 year. For information, read Cost of Living in USA.
As international students are not eligible for federal aid, they need to fill out ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application) in order to receive financial aid, offered by the university. Graduate Students can get Merit-based financial support through graduate research and teaching assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships. Contact your respective department for more information.
HU’s Office of Career Services hosts internships and job fairs for all students every fall and spring semesters, and as well as on-campus interviews. Howard University graduates secure employment across high-paying jobs in USA, earning an average salary of 78,000 USD per year (66.73 lakhs INR). Some of the popular job roles and salaries of HU graduates are mentioned in the following table.
| Popular Job Roles | Average Annual Salary in USD |
|---|---|
| Human Resources (HR) Generalist | 71,000 |
| Executive Assistant | 68,369 |
| Management Consultant | 84,429 |
| Marketing Associate | 42,676 |
| Marketing Manager | 70,000 |
| Project Manager | 84,355 |
Howard University is considered to be one of the leading private universities in USA. It is ranked at #86 in US News and World Report’s national university rankings 2025. QS ranked HU within #1001-1200 range in their World University Rankings 2025. Howard University ranking trends are as follows.
| Ranked By | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS | #1001-1200 | #1001-1200 | #751-800 |
| US News and World Reports (National) | #86 | #115 | #89 |
| US News and World Reports (Global) | – | #1005 | #767 |
Howard University, ranked #86 in the U.S. (2025), offers 140+ programs with a strong focus on STEM, business, and the arts. With a 35% acceptance rate and graduate tuition ranging from 42,122-46,020 USD, it delivers competitive academics and solid value. Its global outlook, flexible deadlines, and merit-based aid make it a smart choice for international students seeking quality education in the U.S.
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