American University vs Howard University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| American University Washington, DC | Howard University Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +81% | +25% |
| 10-year net gain | $143,068 | $52,096 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $76,913 | $71,318 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $51,222 | $66,509 |
| Average net price | $41,943 | $50,539 |
| Median debt | $22,750 | $24,500 |
| Break-even | 5.5 yrs | 8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 76% | 70% |
| Admission rate | 62% | 41% |
American University
Strong return
+$143,068 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Howard University
Break-even
+$52,096 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.