Head-to-head · 2026
George Washington University vs Howard University
Compare average net price ($36,586 at George Washington University; $50,539 at Howard University), ROI score (6.21 vs 3.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($90,873 vs $63,066), and admissions selectivity (47.1% acceptance at George Washington 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 | George Washington University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.21 ✓ | 3.12 |
| Avg net price | $36,586 ✓ | $50,539 |
| 4-year avg net price | $146,344 ✓ | $202,156 |
| In-state tuition | $67,710 | $35,810 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $67,710 | $35,810 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $90,873 ✓ | $63,066 |
| Acceptance rate | 47.1% | 41.3% |
| Graduation rate | 84% ✓ | 70% |
| Retention rate | 92.2% ✓ | 90.9% |
| Median debt | $20,449 ✓ | $24,500 |
| Enrollment | 11,182 | 10,108 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1433 | 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 | George Washington University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,440 ✓ | $46,051 |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,292 ✓ | $47,477 |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,080 ✓ | $50,245 |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,100 ✓ | $52,981 |
| Family income $110k+ | $55,337 | $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 | George Washington University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Law | 6.1% | 7.7% |
| Political Science and Government | 5% | 6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6% | 1.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.9% | 3.6% |
| Medicine | 1.8% | 5.5% |
| Biology, General | 1.2% | 5.9% |
| Public Health | 6.1% | 0.6% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 1.4% | 3.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
George Washington University reports the lower average net price by $13,953 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $55,812 difference over four years ($146,344 vs $202,156).
George Washington University reports $27,807 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($90,873 vs $63,066). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.2% at George Washington University and 90.9% at Howard University. Median federal debt among completers is $20,449 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
George Washington University vs Howard University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
George Washington University is cheaper — average net price $36,586 per year vs $50,539 at Howard University. The annual difference of $13,953 adds up to about $55,812 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
George Washington University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $90,873 vs $63,066 at Howard University. The gap in the federal data is $27,807. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Howard University is more selective at 41.3% acceptance vs 47.1% at George Washington 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.