Howard University Admissions: Are Non-Black Students Accepted?

Howard University is a higher education institution located in Washington, DC. The university is known for its diverse student body, with a significant population of Black or African American students. In 2022, the university had a total enrollment of 12,886 students, of which 66.6% were Black or African American, 6.34% Hispanic or Latino, 4.51% of Two or More Races, 3.44% Asian, 1.09% White, 0.908% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.14% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. While the university has a large Black student population, it is not exclusively a Black institution, and students of all races and ethnicities are welcome to apply and attend.

Howard University's acceptance rate

Howard University is a historically black college with a highly selective admissions process. The university promotes academic excellence and seeks students who demonstrate strong personal motivation, consistent academic growth, and achievement. The acceptance rate for Howard University is reported to be between 35% and 53%. The variation in acceptance rates may be due to different years or admission cycles.

The university considers a range of factors for admission, including a student's GPA, high school class rank, and letters of recommendation. Test scores, such as the SAT and ACT, are also considered but are not the sole basis for evaluation. The average SAT scores of admitted students range from 1050 to 1298, while the average ACT scores range from 20 to 28.

Howard University accepts applications from all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. The university actively seeks to increase diversity and does not restrict admission based on racial or ethnic background. The student body at Howard University is diverse, with the Class of 2025 including students from 45 states, one US territory, and 26 countries.

The application deadline for regular admission to Howard University is February 1st or 15th, depending on the source. The university also offers early action and early decision options with deadlines of November 1st.

The experience of non-Black students at Howard University

Howard University is a private, historically Black university in Washington, D.C. While the majority of its students are Black, its campus is open to students of all races and ethnicities. In 2022, 13% of its student body was composed of Hispanic or Latinx, Asian, White, Native American, and Native Hawaiian students.

Some non-Black students have reported feeling excluded or kicked out of group chats with prospective students when their ethnicity was discovered. However, once on campus, non-Black students have found support from alumni and administrators, who emphasize that non-Black people attend Howard all the time. Non-Black students have also found community within cultural organizations on campus, such as Changó, Howard's Afro-Latine Student Association and Spanish Speaking Society.

Overall, non-Black students at Howard University have described their experiences as positive. They have reported feeling welcomed and supported by their classmates and proud to be students at the university. They have also appreciated the university's commitment to financial aid and its location in the nation's capital.

The demographics of Howard University

Howard University is a historically black college or university (HBCU) with a principal mission of serving and educating the black community. The university is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The student population at Howard University is 66.6% Black or African American, 6.34% Hispanic or Latino, 4.51% of two or more races, 3.44% Asian, 1.09% White, 0.908% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.14% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. The university also has a high geographic diversity score, with 98.28% of students coming from out of state and 9.43% from out of the country.

In 2022, Howard University received 19,188 undergraduate applications, of which 10,253 students were accepted, representing a 53.4% acceptance rate. Of the accepted students, 24.3% enrolled, resulting in a total enrollment of 12,886 students. The gender breakdown of the undergraduate population is 72% women and 28% men, while the graduate student population is 66% women and 34% men. Overall, there are approximately 7,621 female students and 3,238 male students at Howard.

Howard University offers a wide range of academic programs, with students pursuing studies in more than 130 areas within the University's 13 schools and colleges. The university is particularly well-known for its law, medicine, and dentistry programs, which are the most common professional doctorate concentrations. In 2022, 162 degrees were awarded in law, 115 in medicine, and 75 in dentistry. The university also has a strong focus on research, with specializations in nanotechnology, human genome research, atmospheric science, and the social sciences.

Howard University is committed to providing opportunities for minority students and has been recognized for its efforts. The School of Business, for example, was ranked as the "greatest opportunity for minority students" by Princeton Review. The university is also the leading producer of African American undergraduates who later earn PhDs in natural sciences, according to the National Science Foundation. Additionally, Howard University is the top producer of African American students entering medical schools in the United States.

Howard University's tuition fees

The annual tuition to attend Howard University is $30,584 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Room and board fees are an additional $15,880. Students should also budget for books and supplies ($1,360), other fees charged by the school ($466), and miscellaneous expenses ($3,160 for on-campus students and $8,736 for off-campus students). With all these fees considered, the expected total cost to attend Howard University on a full-time basis is $51,450 per year.

The cost of attendance (COA) is an average estimate of the cost for a typical undergraduate student to attend Howard University for one academic year. The COA includes both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are items that will appear on the University bill, such as tuition, fees, and room and board (if living on campus). Indirect costs are estimated costs associated with attending college that are not included in the bill, such as books, transportation, and personal expenses.

The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Howard University was $9,481, and 72% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in the fall of 2022. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students was $15,995. Howard University met 32% of its students' financial aid needs.

Howard University's scholarships

Howard University, a historically black college, offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and fellowships to its students. These financial aid opportunities are available to students from various sources, including Howard University itself, external organizations, and the federal government.

Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS)

Howard University Freshman Scholarships are available to incoming first-time college students. The award criteria for HUFS may change annually, and eligibility is determined based on merit or need. The merit-based awards are decided using SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs, while the need-based awards are determined through the Student Aid Index (SAI). HUFS awards will expire after eight consecutive semesters of enrollment or if the student graduates early. The different types of HUFS awards include:

• HU Presidential Scholarship
• HU Achievers Scholarship
• HU Founders Scholarship
• HU Capstone Scholarship
• HU Leadership Scholarship
• HU Opportunity Scholarship
• HU Access Scholarship

External Scholarships and Grants

Howard University also provides information on external scholarships and grants that students can apply for. These include:

• DC College Access Program (DC Cap)
• DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC Tag)
• Donor Scholarship Application
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Maryland Higher Education Commission (MEHA)
• Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholarship
• Pennsylvania Higher Education (PHEAA)
• Sam Haskell Scholarship
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships and Grants

The College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University offers its own scholarships and grants, such as the COAS Honors Program and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. The COAS Honors Program is an invitation-only program for freshmen with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a combined SAT score of 1300 or an ACT score of 28. The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship is a two-year program that aims to increase diversity in faculty at institutions of higher learning.

Other Opportunities

In addition to the scholarships and grants mentioned above, Howard University offers other opportunities for financial support, including:

• Karsh STEM Scholars Program: This program attracts high school students interested in STEM careers at Howard University. Scholars receive a scholarship that covers tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, and an allowance for books.
• Tech Exchange: A residency program at Google, formerly known as Howard West, that includes a dedicated workspace, a stipend, and access to Google resources.
• Howard Entertainment: A partnership between Amazon Studios and Howard University to diversify the talent pipeline in the entertainment industry.
• Cathy Hughes School of Communications Annenberg Honors Program: A total learning experience that fosters intellectual development and scholastic excellence.
• Ralph J. Bunche Semester Abroad: Financial options for a credited semester abroad.
• NASA Home: Howard is one of seven institutions participating in this program for the design of deep-space habitats.

Frequently asked questions