Howard University SAT scores and admissions

Washington, DC · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R2 research university

SAT middle 50% (historical enrolled scores)
1090–1320
Range midpoint ~1210
Acceptance rate
41%
Enrollment
10,108
ACT middle 50%
22–28

The figures above are the stored federal Scorecard snapshot, imported April 25, 2026. Its fields can cover different reporting years. Current university profiles below can describe a different cohort or applicant group.

How HU compares

  • Its SAT rank in the stored federal dataset is #131 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #3 of 3 in DC.
  • Its 41% acceptance rate is more selective than 79% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
  • Reported section midpoints skew 10 points toward Reading and Writing (590 Math vs 600 Reading and Writing).
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry ($63,066) are $0 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
National SAT rank
#131 of 197
SAT rank in DC
#3 of 3
More selective than
79% of ranked colleges
Earnings vs national median
+$0

What the numbers say about HU

  • The reported middle 50% spans 230 points, from 1090 to 1320. A planning score near or above 1360 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
  • The reported section midpoints are 600 Reading and Writing and 590 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
  • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 41% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
  • Reported outcomes include a 70% completion rate and $63,066 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

Tuition and outcomes

Tuition (in-state)
$35,810
Tuition (out-of-state)
$35,810
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$63,066
4-year completion rate (150% time)
70%

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; our snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

How your SAT score lines up

The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1090 and 1320. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

  • 1360 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range, not an admission guarantee.
  • 1320 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
  • 1210 SAT (range midpoint): Within the reported range; not a measured median.
  • 1090 SAT (reported 25th percentile): At the lower end of the reported middle-50% range.
At or above 1320

Strong relative score

At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

1090–1310

Within the reported range

Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

Below 1090

Below the reported range

Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

Compare to other colleges →

Colleges with similar SAT scores

Ranked by proximity to HU's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
Elon UniversityElon, NC1130–128066%
Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ1110–131078%
Alfred UniversityAlfred, NY1100–131074%
Austin CollegeSherman, TX1100–131048%
St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY1120–130066%
Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA1090–130082%

Questions about HU

What SAT score do I need for HU?

Howard University's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1090–1320, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1360 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

What is HU's acceptance rate?

Howard University's historical College Scorecard snapshot reports approximately 41%. This is a past institution-wide applicant pool, not an individual admission probability.

How much does it cost to attend HU?

Historical published tuition is approximately $35,810 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

Is HU test-optional?

The College Scorecard does not record testing policy, and this page has not checked Howard University's current rule. Confirm whether it is test-optional, test-required, or test-blind on its admissions page before you apply.

Official site: www.howard.edu