Howard U vs South Carolina State University
Howard University and South Carolina State University, both historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), offer unique educational experiences for students seeking a diverse and enriching academic environment. Howard University, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., boasts a lower acceptance rate (36%) compared to South Carolina State University's (58%). While Howard University's student body is predominantly African American (80%), South Carolina State University's student body is more diverse, with a significant population of African American (63%) and White (27%) students. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Education, and Engineering. However, Howard University has a higher graduation rate (68%) compared to South Carolina State University's (54%). Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two esteemed HBCUs and make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
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![]() Howard University |
![]() South Carolina State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Washington, District of Columbia | Orangeburg, South Carolina |
Campus setting | City: Large | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 35.2% | 87.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$25
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SAT range | 1080 - 1290 | 800 - 1050 |
ACT range | 21 - 26 | 15 - 19 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 6.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 10.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 29,396 | 2,497 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,362 | 2,187 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,768 | 586 |
Yield rate | 26.7% | 26.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $48,214 |
In state:
$31,060
Out of state:
$41,750
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Average net price | $26,870 | $20,901 |
Tuition | $28,450 |
In state:
$9,528
Out of state:
$20,218
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Room & board | $14,678 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,600
Meal plan:
$3,290
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $22,380 |
87.0%
Average amount $9,737 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $4,811 |
63.0%
Average amount $5,707 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $16,655 |
1.0%
Average amount $14,500 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,964
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
2,074
Men 44.7% Women 55.3% |
Graduate students |
3,101
Men 32.8% Women 67.2% |
300
Men 24.3% Women 75.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 98.6% | 13.2% |
International students | 4.1% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 5,719 | 1,369 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Maryland New York Georgia New Jersey Texas | South Carolina Georgia Florida North Carolina California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.6% | 30.4% |
Dropout rate | 11.3% | 35.7% |
Transferred out | 23.4% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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