Howard vs. Umary

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with University of Mary in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than Umary based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 3,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Mary is in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; University of Mary 14:1.

Howard vs. Umary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Umary? 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 University of Mary than Howard ($20,156 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 46.4% lower than at Howard University ($9,276 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Umary (about $13,454 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.2% higher at Howard than at University of Mary (about $13,454 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Howard University as at University of Mary (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 56.3% larger than aid received by University of Mary students ($21,262 vs. $13,601).

Howard vs. Umary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or Umary? 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 Umary and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary (1230) is 20 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Umary).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of Mary 1110/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of Mary 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Umary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Umary (3.37).
• Umary has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 41.4% at Umary.

Howard vs. Umary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Umary? 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 University of Mary's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Mary earn a median of about $100 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Umary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.