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Howard University vs University of the District of Columbia: which has better ROI?

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

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

The verdict

Howard University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $202,156 in 13.7 years versus not at all at University of the District of Columbia, on median earnings of $63,066 vs $44,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHoward UniversityUniversity of the District of Columbia
Net price / yr$50,539$10,648
Total net cost$202,156$21,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,066$44,236
Median debt$24,500$24,872
Payback13.7 yrs—
20-year net return$91,964-$103,776

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

Which is cheaper, Howard University or University of the District of Columbia?

University of the District of Columbia, at $10,648 a year after aid versus $50,539 — a gap of $39,891 a year, or $180,860 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 University of the District of Columbia graduates earn more?

Howard University graduates report a median $63,066 ten years after entry, $18,830 more than the $44,236 at University of the District of Columbia. 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 University of the District of Columbia?

Howard University: its completers carry a median $24,500 in federal loans versus $24,872 at University of the District of Columbia, a difference of $372. 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 33% at University of the District of Columbia. 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 University of the District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

Is Howard University or University of the District of Columbia a better value?
Howard University. It clears its $202,156 net cost in about 13.7 years versus no clear payback at University of the District of Columbia, on median earnings of $63,066 vs $44,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Howard University or University of the District of Columbia?
University of the District of Columbia: $10,648/yr net price after aid versus $50,539/yr at Howard University — a difference of $39,891 a year, or about $180,860 over four years.
Do Howard University or University of the District of Columbia graduates earn more?
Howard University graduates earn a median $63,066 ten years after entry, versus $44,236 at University of the District of Columbia — a $18,830 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.