At $47,919/yr net price, Howard University graduates earn $63,066/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $29,066/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $47,919 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $191,676 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,066/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$29,066/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $44,234/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $45,504/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $49,005/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $50,842/yr |
| $110,001+ | $51,384/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $139,816 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $121,694 | $236,918 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $106,421 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $100,571 | $316,095 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $100,038 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $97,959 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $91,744 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $84,653 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $84,653 | |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $82,440 |
The Risk Factor
68.9% of students at Howard University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Howard University costs about $48,000 a year net, and the median graduate earns $63,066 ten years out. That gap is the core of the problem: you pay private-school prices for earnings that sit in the middle of the pack. What saves the picture is a 90% retention rate and a 69% graduation rate, meaning most of you who enroll actually finish and start earning instead of paying for a degree you never complete. Median debt of $24,500 is also lower than the sticker price suggests.
The return depends almost entirely on your major. Allied health diagnostic and treatment grads clear $91,000, and the engineering paths pay off hard: chemical engineering at $84,653, electrical at $80,041, computer systems analysis at $82,440. Management information systems grads earn $70,456 while carrying only $20,500 in debt, one of the better cost-to-earnings trades on campus. Pick one of these and the price starts to make sense.
The risk is that these top earners are technical and health fields, and the median across all majors ($63,066) tells you plenty of degrees here don't reach those numbers. If you enroll without a clear path toward engineering, allied health, or MIS, you are paying near-$50,000 a year for a middle-income outcome.
The net price tiers add a hard twist: Howard costs you more as your family earns less relative to the value, but here it inverts strangely. Families under $30,000 pay $44,234, while families over $110,000 pay $51,384. The spread is small, so lower-income families get limited relief and still face a $44,000 bill. If you need aid to make this work, run the numbers carefully before committing. This school fits you if you are locked onto a high-earning technical or health major. otherwise, the math is tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Howard University worth the cost?
Howard University's high net price of $47,919 annually leads to modest returns, with graduates earning $63,066 ten years after enrollment. The investment pays off best for students in dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health programs, but other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the highest paying majors at Howard University?
Howard University's top-earning programs are dentistry and pharmacy, with graduates making $100,000-$140,000 annually. These health science programs offer strong ROI that can offset the university's high tuition costs.
How much debt do Howard University students graduate with?
Howard University graduates carry a median debt of $24,500, which is manageable compared to the school's high costs. However, with average earnings of $63,066 ten years out, loan payments may still strain budgets for graduates outside high-paying health programs.
Does Howard University have good financial aid?
Despite financial aid, Howard University students face a net price of nearly $48,000 annually. The 69% graduation rate means about one in three students leave without a degree, making the financial risk significant for families.