Howard University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is Howard University to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Howard University (HU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. HU's acceptance rate is 41.34% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 34,211 students applied and 14,144 were admitted to the school. It means that your chances of getting into HU is not low.

To apply to HU, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

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Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, HU's acceptance rate is 41.34% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 19.36%. 9,963 men and 24,248 women applied to HU and 3,967 men and 10,177 women students were accepted.

Among them, 673 men and 2,065 women were enrolled in HU. You can explore the HU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at HU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants34,2119,96324,24800
Admitted14,1443,96710,17700
Enrolled2,7386732,06500
Acceptance Rate 41.34%39.82%41.97%--
Yield 19.36%16.96%20.29%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Howard University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 626 students (23% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 257 students (9% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at HU.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,210, including 620 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 590 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 670 and the 25th percentile is 560. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 650 and the 25th percentile is 530.

The median ACT composite score is 25, with a 75th percentile score of 28 and a 25th percentile score of 22 at HU. The median ACT Math score is 23 and the median ACT English score is 25.

How competitive is HU's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Howard University are low compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,314, ACT: 29 - private (not-for-profit) research university with high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at HU
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total1,0901,2101,320
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing560620670
SAT Math530590650
ACT Composite222528
ACT Math182326
ACT English212529

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Howard University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 2,738 first-year students enrolled in HU. The proportion of full-time students is 99.89% and part-time students is 0.11%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 24.58% and women students is 75.42%.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at HU.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at HU
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total2,7386732,06500
Full-time2,7356722,06300
Part-time31200

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, Recommendations, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at HU. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Howard University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

HU Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankConsidered, if submitted
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramRequired
RecommendationsRequired
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesConsidered, if submitted
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceConsidered, if submitted
Personal statement or essayRequired
Legacy statusConsidered, if submitted

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to HU:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: www2.howard.edu/admission
  • Online Application: https://www.commonapp.org/explore/howard-university
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: 2-4 Years Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

HU Admission Frequently Asked Questions

HU is less competitive, with an acceptance rate of 41.34%.
HU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to HU is 1,210, and the average ACT score is 25. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, HU requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, HU requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
HU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, HU requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, HU requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for HU is 5297 and 4-digit ACT code is 0674.

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