Howard vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,456 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

Howard vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University than Howard ($20,412 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 25.6% lower than at Howard University ($12,894 vs. $17,322).
• St. Mary's University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $1,624 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at St. Mary's University than at Howard University (about $1,624 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Mary's University students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($27,464 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 100 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming Howard students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at St. Mary's University (3.61).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

Howard vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and St. Mary's University? 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Mary's University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St. Mary's University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.