Howard vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,853 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Howard vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than Howard ($21,267 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 31.1% lower than at Howard University ($11,930 vs. $17,322).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $1,690 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at VWC than at Howard University (about $1,690 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 40.7% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($29,923 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or VWC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between VWC and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming VWC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 1090/1320; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Howard University 22/28; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Howard students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Howard vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and VWC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and Howard graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and Howard graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More VWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.