Degree Dividend
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Howard University vs Trinity Washington University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Washington DC · vs · Private nonprofit, Washington DC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Trinity Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,208 in 6.8 years versus 13.7 years at Howard University, on median earnings of $53,804 vs $63,066 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHoward UniversityTrinity Washington University
Net price / yr$50,539$9,302
Total net cost$202,156$37,208
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,066$53,804
Median debt$24,500$28,250
Payback13.7 yrs6.8 yrs
20-year net return$91,964$71,672

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Howard University or Trinity Washington University?

Trinity Washington University, at $9,302 a year after aid versus $50,539 — a gap of $41,237 a year, or $164,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Howard University or Trinity Washington University graduates earn more?

Howard University graduates report a median $63,066 ten years after entry, $9,262 more than the $53,804 at Trinity Washington University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Howard University or Trinity Washington University?

Howard University: its completers carry a median $24,500 in federal loans versus $28,250 at Trinity Washington University, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Howard University, against 49% at Trinity Washington University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Howard University vs Trinity Washington University: frequently asked questions

Is Howard University or Trinity Washington University a better value?
Trinity Washington University. It clears its $37,208 net cost in about 6.8 years versus 13.7 years at Howard University, on median earnings of $53,804 vs $63,066 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Howard University or Trinity Washington University?
Trinity Washington University: $9,302/yr net price after aid versus $50,539/yr at Howard University — a difference of $41,237 a year, or about $164,948 over four years.
Do Howard University or Trinity Washington University graduates earn more?
Howard University graduates earn a median $63,066 ten years after entry, versus $53,804 at Trinity Washington University — a $9,262 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.