George Washington University vs Howard University

Howard University is the more selective of the two at 41%, versus 47% at George Washington University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

George Washington University
Selective
47%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1420
Private · Washington, D.C.
Howard University
Selective
41%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1280
Private · Washington, D.C.

George Washington University vs Howard University: the differences that matter

How George Washington University and Howard University stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Howard University is meaningfully harder to get into, admitting about 41% of applicants versus 47% at George Washington University, a gap of roughly 6 percentage points. Treat Howard University as the bigger reach of the two when you build your list.

The two also read applications a little differently. George Washington University leans more on extracurricular activities, character / personal qualities, first-generation status, while Howard University puts more weight on class rank, standardized test scores, interview. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, George Washington University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420 and Howard University's is around 1280. Admitted students at George Washington University post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorGeorge Washington UniversityHoward University
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankconsideredimportant
Standardized test scoresimportantvery important
Application essayimportantimportant
Recommendationsimportantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesimportantconsidered
Character / personal qualitiesimportantconsidered
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is George Washington University or Howard University harder to get into?

Howard University is harder to get into, with a 41% acceptance rate versus 47% at George Washington University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between George Washington University and Howard University?

George Washington University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and Howard University's is around 1280.

What are my chances at George Washington University and Howard University?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.