Howard vs. North Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with North Central College in Naperville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); North Central College is in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; North Central College 12:1.

Howard vs. North Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or North Central College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Central College than Howard ($23,276 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 15.2% lower than at Howard University ($14,688 vs. $17,322).
• North Central College is 27.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $9,916 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at North Central College than at Howard University (about $9,916 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 60.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($34,056 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. North Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or North Central College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between North Central College and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 30 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; North Central College 1055/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; North Central College 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; North Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 13.6% at North Central College.

Howard vs. North Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and North Central College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.