Head-to-head · 2026
Howard University vs The Catholic University of America
Compare average net price ($50,539 at Howard University; $29,561 at The Catholic University of America), ROI score (3.12 vs 6.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($63,066 vs $73,250), and admissions selectivity (41.3% acceptance at Howard University; 82.8% at The Catholic University of America) 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 | Howard University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3.12 | 6.19 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $50,539 | $29,561 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $202,156 | $118,244 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $35,810 | $58,378 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $35,810 | $58,378 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $63,066 | $73,250 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 41.3% | 82.8% |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 79.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 90.9% ✓ | 86.5% |
| Median debt | $24,500 ✓ | $26,000 |
| Enrollment | 10,108 | 3,154 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 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 | Howard University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $46,051 | $17,358 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $47,477 | $17,895 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $50,245 | $24,723 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $52,981 | $28,295 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $54,270 | $37,651 ✓ |
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 | Howard University | The Catholic University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Law | 7.7% | 7.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.6% | 10.8% |
| Social Work | 3.3% | 8.2% |
| Political Science and Government | 6% | 5.3% |
| Psychology, General | 4.6% | 6.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.6% | 6.3% |
| Biology, General | 5.9% | 1.6% |
| Architecture | 1.5% | 6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
The Catholic University of America reports the lower average net price by $20,978 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $83,912 difference over four years ($118,244 vs $202,156).
The Catholic University of America reports $10,184 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($73,250 vs $63,066). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 90.9% at Howard University and 86.5% at The Catholic University of America. Median federal debt among completers is $24,500 vs $26,000, 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
Howard University vs The Catholic University of America, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
The Catholic University of America is cheaper — average net price $29,561 per year vs $50,539 at Howard University. The annual difference of $20,978 adds up to about $83,912 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
The Catholic University of America reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $73,250 vs $63,066 at Howard University. The gap in the federal data is $10,184. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Howard University is more selective at 41.3% acceptance vs 82.8% at The Catholic University of America.
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.