Head-to-head · 2026
American University vs Howard University
Compare average net price ($41,943 at American University; $50,539 at Howard University), ROI score (4.61 vs 3.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($77,370 vs $63,066), and admissions selectivity (62% acceptance at American University; 41.3% at Howard University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | American University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 4.61 ✓ | 3.12 |
| Avg net price | $41,943 ✓ | $50,539 |
| 4-year avg net price | $167,772 ✓ | $202,156 |
| In-state tuition | $58,771 | $35,810 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $58,771 | $35,810 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $77,370 ✓ | $63,066 |
| Acceptance rate | 62% | 41.3% |
| Graduation rate | 75.5% ✓ | 70% |
| Retention rate | 88.2% | 90.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $22,750 ✓ | $24,500 |
| Enrollment | 7,266 | 10,108 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1381 | 1213 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | American University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $23,233 ✓ | $46,051 |
| Family income $30–48k | $20,444 ✓ | $47,477 |
| Family income $48–75k | $26,035 ✓ | $50,245 |
| Family income $75–110k | $30,063 ✓ | $52,981 |
| Family income $110k+ | $53,673 ✓ | $54,270 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | American University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Law | 7.1% | 7.7% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.5% | 6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.5% | 3.6% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| Biology, General | 0.6% | 5.9% |
| Psychology, General | 1.8% | 4.6% |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | 0.1% | 5.5% |
| Economics | 3.1% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
American University reports the lower average net price by $8,596 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $34,384 difference over four years ($167,772 vs $202,156).
American University reports $14,304 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($77,370 vs $63,066). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 88.2% at American University and 90.9% at Howard University. Median federal debt among completers is $22,750 vs $24,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
American University vs Howard University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
American University is cheaper — average net price $41,943 per year vs $50,539 at Howard University. The annual difference of $8,596 adds up to about $34,384 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
American University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $77,370 vs $63,066 at Howard University. The gap in the federal data is $14,304. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Howard University is more selective at 41.3% acceptance vs 62% at American University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.