Howard University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Howard University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

34.9%

Admission Difficulty for Howard University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Challenging
Applicant Competition		High

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Howard is 34.9%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in District Of Columbia and the 146th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Howard and can you get accepted?

Howard is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 10,587 out of the 30,342 who applied were admitted.

Howard University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.66. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Howard?

35% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Howard University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.66 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1200 on the SAT
Score 25 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Howard GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.66

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Howard University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Howard are to have around a 3.66 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Howard will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Howard is 3.66 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Howard is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Howard University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	6.4%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	37.7%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	33.8%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	14.4%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	7.4%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.3%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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Howard SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Howard University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 27% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1100-1298

Applicants Submitting SAT

27%

SAT Scores for Howard University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	560
Math 25th Percentile	540
Composite 25th Percentile	1100

SAT Scores for Howard University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	660
Math 75th Percentile	638
Composite 75th Percentile	1298
Average SAT Score	1200

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Howard University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Howard is 1200 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1100-1298. Students who get into Howard University score in the top 41 percent of all SAT test takers.. Howard ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1200 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Howard regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1100 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1100, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Howard University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1199, you have around a 35% chance of being admitted. A 1298 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 51% chance of getting in.

Howard University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1298 and Above	Good	>51%
1199 to 1298	Avg +	35%-51%
1100 to 1199	Avg -	22%-35%
1001 to 1100	Reach	13%-22%
Less than 1001	Low	<13%

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Howard ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

22-28

Applicants Submitting ACT

10%

ACT Scores for Howard University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	23
Math 25th Percentile	21
Composite 25th Percentile	22

ACT Scores for Howard University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	30
Math 75th Percentile	26
Composite 75th Percentile	28
Average ACT Score	25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Howard?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Howard is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 28. The school ranks #4 in District Of Columbia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

10 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Howard University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Howard University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Howard for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 35% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 51% with a 28 ACT score.

Howard University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28 and Above	Good	>51%
25 to 28	Avg +	35%-51%
22 to 25	Avg -	22%-35%
19 to 22	Reach	13%-22%
Less than 19	Low	<13%

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High School Class Rank

59% of Howard University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 18% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Howard University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	18%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	91%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Howard University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	21,478	8,864	30,342
Accepted	7,717	2,870	10,587
Acceptance Rate	36%	32%	35%
Enrolled	1,708	560	2,268
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	22%	20%	21%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Howard University is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Howard University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Howard University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Howard University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Howard is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.66 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1200 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1298 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.