Cost varies significantly by family income. Use the breakdown below to estimate your net price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at Howard University
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$36K
+
Room
$17K
+
Books
$1,360
=
Sticker Price
$54,630
$36K+$17K+$1,360=$54,630
Your Family Income
Sticker
$54,630
−
Your Aid
$4,385
=
Net Price
$50,245
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
Howard University Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$54,630
Tuition and Fees
$35,810
Room and Board
$17,322
Books and Supplies
$1,360
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$4,091
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$50,539
Howard University Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$46,051
$30–48k
$47,477
$48–75k
$50,245
$75–110k
$52,981
$110k+
$54,270
Understanding Your Aid Package
Howard University has a sticker price of $54,630 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $54,630/year
Average aid: $4,091 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$50,245/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$46,051/year
40% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
40%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
24%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$24,500
Range (25th–75th)$12,000 – $30,500
Median Parent PLUS Loans$58,682
Debt Manageability
0.34x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$63,066
Earnings Growth
+33%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$5,228
77th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$34,222
25th %ile
$92,903
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about Howard University Cost & Financial Aid
Howard University's published tuition is $54,630 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $50,245—a difference of $4,385.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $46,051 at Howard University. 40% of students receive Pell Grants.
Howard University provides financial aid based entirely on demonstrated need and does not offer academic merit scholarships. However, their generous need-based aid means most families pay significantly less than the sticker price.
The median debt for Howard University graduates is $24,500, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $260 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $54,270 at Howard University—still $360 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
