Howard University ★ Hidden gem
Washington, District of Columbia · Private, nonprofit · 10,108 undergraduates
All 30 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical District of Columbia high-school graduate (about $40,140/yr). Another 104 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $46,051 |
| $30k to $48k | $47,477 |
| $48k to $75k | $50,245 |
| $75k to $110k | $52,981 |
| $110k and up | $54,270 |
| All families (average) | $50,539 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | First Professional Degree | $116,413 | +$76,273 | clears the bar | $185,348 | 2.4 yrs |
| Political Science and Government | Bachelor's Degree | $65,733 | +$25,593 | clears the bar | $24,375 | 1 yr |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $60,923 | +$20,783 | clears the bar | $25,000 | 1.2 yrs |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | Bachelor's Degree | $59,909 | +$19,769 | clears the bar | $26,000 | 1.3 yrs |
| Medicine | First Professional Degree | $111,199 | +$71,059 | clears the bar | $247,248 | 3.5 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $59,069 | +$18,929 | clears the bar | $24,437 | 1.3 yrs |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | Bachelor's Degree | $67,881 | +$27,741 | clears the bar | $25,750 | 0.9 yrs |
| Dentistry | First Professional Degree | $164,425 | +$124,285 | clears the bar | $316,095 | 2.5 yrs |
| Social Work | Master's Degree | $75,734 | +$35,594 | clears the bar | $86,750 | 2.4 yrs |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | First Professional Degree | $141,811 | +$101,671 | clears the bar | $236,918 | 2.3 yrs |
| Marketing | Bachelor's Degree | $77,820 | +$37,680 | clears the bar | $25,000 | 0.7 yrs |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's Degree | $61,316 | +$21,176 | clears the bar | $26,500 | 1.3 yrs |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $135,741 | +$95,601 | clears the bar | $76,816 | 0.8 yrs |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | Bachelor's Degree | $80,094 | +$39,954 | clears the bar | $20,197 | 0.5 yrs |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | Bachelor's Degree | $60,047 | +$19,907 | clears the bar | n/a | n/a |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 30 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 40% of students receive Pell grants · 70% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.