Howard University (HU) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Howard University Acceptance Rate

Howard University is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of Howard University is 34.9%. This means that 35 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
• Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.

Selectivity at a Glance

Selective

Selectivity scale: Selective — 34.9% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.66 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.46 – 3.65

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.21

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

HU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at HU is 3.66. HU is highly selective.

Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.36 and 3.66, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at HU

Howard University (HU) Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into HU Without SAT or ACT?

Howard University Average SAT Score: 1205

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Howard University is 1205 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1205 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1205 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1100, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at HU. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1100 then you are below most of the admitted students at HU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1298 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200

Can I get into Howard University (HU) with a 1300 SAT?

With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Howard University (HU) are good but the admission staff at HU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Howard University (HU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at HU is 25.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes Howard University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 25 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into Howard University with a 28 ACT?

A 28 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Howard University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Howard University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Howard University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Howard University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 28 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 25

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for HU

HU Profile

Is a HU Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Howard University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	1174	25
Harding University	Searcy, AR	1187	25
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa, CA	1155	22
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, CA	1194	26
University of New Haven	West Haven, CT	1190	NA
Nova Southeastern University	Fort Lauderdale, FL	1182	25
Savannah College of Art and Design	Savannah, GA	1178	25
Spelman College	Atlanta, GA	1184	24
Toccoa Falls College	Toccoa Falls, GA	1155	23
Chaminade University of Honolulu	Honolulu, HI	1155	NA

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Howard University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Birmingham-Southern College	Birmingham, AL	1197	24
Samford University	Birmingham, AL	1203	26
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia, AR	1212	25
Eastern Connecticut State University	Willimantic, CT	1200	NA
University of Hartford	West Hartford, CT	1207	29

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Howard University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham, AL	1251	26
University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ	1261	26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	Prescott, AZ	1256	27
Biola University	La Mirada, CA	1258	27
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, CA	1278	26

Degree Programs at HU

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Howard University →

Frequently Asked Questions About HU Admissions