The average acceptance rate at HU over the past 10 years is 39.14%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 41.34%. Compared to the previous year, it became much easier to gain admission to HU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 23.42%, and the 2025 yield is 19.36%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 14.11% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of HU applicants increased by 12.75% (3,869 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 125.62% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 41.34%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that HU has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 19.36%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at HU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, HU received approximately 34,211 applications, admitted 14,144 students, and enrolled 2,738 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that HU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
HU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at HU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 39.14%, while the most recent rate stands at 41.34%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 41.34%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 37.80% and for women is 39.73%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at HU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 49.04% | 49.01% | 49.06% |
| 2016-17 | 30.00% -19.04% |
30.79% -18.22% |
29.68% -19.38% |
| 2017-18 | 41.42% 11.41% |
37.97% 7.18% |
42.89% 13.21% |
| 2018-19 | 31.59% -9.82% |
30.62% -7.35% |
31.98% -10.91% |
| 2019-20 | 36.08% 4.48% |
33.96% 3.34% |
36.94% 4.95% |
| 2020-21 | 38.64% 2.56% |
39.35% 5.39% |
38.35% 1.41% |
| 2021-22 | 35.00% -3.63% |
34.00% -5.35% |
36.00% -2.35% |
| 2022-23 | 53.43% 18.43% |
50.07% 16.07% |
54.54% 18.54% |
| 2023-24 | 34.89% -18.54% |
32.38% -17.69% |
35.93% -18.61% |
| 2024-25 | 41.34% 6.45% |
39.82% 7.44% |
41.97% 6.04% |
| Average | 39.14% | 37.80% | 39.73% |
HU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 22.54% in 2015 to 19.36% in 2025, representing a 14.11% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 23.42%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at HU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 14.11% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 22.54% | 22.58% | 22.52% |
| 2016-17 | 16.48% -6.06% |
17.41% -5.17% |
16.08% -6.44% |
| 2017-18 | 29.85% 13.38% |
29.18% 11.77% |
30.11% 14.03% |
| 2018-19 | 22.68% -7.17% |
23.26% -5.91% |
22.46% -7.65% |
| 2019-20 | 25.40% 2.72% |
24.20% 0.94% |
25.85% 3.39% |
| 2020-21 | 25.11% -0.29% |
23.78% -0.42% |
25.67% -0.19% |
| 2021-22 | 27.00% 1.89% |
25.01% 1.23% |
28.00% 2.34% |
| 2022-23 | 24.31% -2.68% |
22.28% -2.73% |
26.09% -1.92% |
| 2023-24 | 21.42% -2.89% |
19.51% -2.76% |
22.13% -3.95% |
| 2024-25 | 19.36% -2.06% |
16.97% -2.55% |
20.29% -1.84% |
| Average | 23.42% | 22.42% | 23.92% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 22,962, the average number of admitted is 8,873, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 2,072.
The number of HU applicants increased by 12.75% (3,869 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 125.62% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Howard University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 15,163 | 7,436 | 1,676 |
| 2016-17 | 18,225 20.19% |
5,468 -26.47% |
901 -46.24% |
| 2017-18 | 16,815 -7.74% |
6,964 27.36% |
2,079 130.74% |
| 2018-19 | 20,946 24.57% |
6,617 -4.98% |
1,501 -27.80% |
| 2019-20 | 21,006 0.29% |
7,578 14.52% |
1,925 28.25% |
| 2020-21 | 24,325 15.80% |
9,398 24.02% |
2,360 22.60% |
| 2021-22 | 29,396 20.85% |
10,289 9.48% |
2,778 17.71% |
| 2022-23 | 19,188 -34.73% |
10,253 -0.35% |
2,493 -10.26% |
| 2023-24 | 30,342 58.13% |
10,587 3.26% |
2,268 -9.03% |
| 2024-25 | 34,211 12.75% |
14,144 33.60% |
2,738 20.72% |
| Average | 22,962 | 8,873 | 2,072 |
The following table compares Howard University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard University | 34.89% | 41.34% | 18.49% |
| Coppin State University | 45.83% | 49.56% | -7.53% |
| North Carolina A & T State University | 49.90% | 46.17% | 8.08% |
| Morgan State University | 82.23% | 82.96% | -0.88% |
| Spelman College | 24.87% | 34.09% | -27.05% |
| Norfolk State University | 87.77% | 87.46% | 0.35% |
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