Howard University

Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research university comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue 143 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.

Howard’s success is measured by the continued dedication to student success as evidenced by: rising retention and graduation rates, lower student debt ratios, increased financial aid, expanding and growing faculty research portfolio, and service to the local and global community. Howard’s main campus is home to 256 acres of land across the District of Columbia and Maryland. With our Main Campus located in northwest DC, the School of Law, School of Divinity, and Howard’s research facility each have dedicated campuses nearby.

Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., is one of the United States’ most prominent historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Founded in 1867, it has a long-standing mission to provide educational opportunities to African Americans at a time when few institutions did. Known for its rigorous academic programs and influential alumni, Howard has produced leaders across multiple fields, including politics, law, arts, sciences, and business. Notable alumni include Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice; Vice President Kamala Harris; writer Zora Neale Hurston; and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.

The university has 13 schools and colleges offering a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, from arts and sciences to business, engineering, and law. Howard is particularly celebrated for its School of Law and College of Medicine, both of which have been instrumental in advancing civil rights, health equity, and social justice. The campus culture at Howard is vibrant, with a legacy of student activism and a deep commitment to social justice, intellectual discovery, and cultural pride.

Howard University also holds a strong presence in research, particularly through initiatives focused on health disparities, social science research, and African-American history. Today, Howard continues to attract a diverse student body from across the globe, supporting a mission that combines excellence in education with an emphasis on leadership, service, and community upliftment.