
2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059-0002, USA


Howard University supports a vibrant athletics program with multiple varsity sports teams competing primarily in NCAA Division I as part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The university fields teams in sports such as basketball, football, baseball, track and field, tennis, volleyball, and softball, offering student-athletes diverse opportunities to participate at a competitive level.
The basketball program is a notable highlight, with both men's and women's teams competing prominently in MEAC play and making occasional appearances in postseason tournaments. The football team similarly competes in Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), drawing considerable attention during the season.
Facilities at Howard include the William H. Greene Stadium for football, the Burr Gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, and specialized fields and courts for other sports, providing student-athletes with venues equipped to support their training and competition needs. The university emphasizes balancing athletics with academic achievement, ensuring that student-athletes receive support to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
Howard University offers a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests and backgrounds. Key groups include the Howard University Student Association, Undergraduate Student Assembly, Campus Pals, International Student Organization, and the Entrepreneurial Society. These associations provide platforms for leadership, social interaction, cultural exchange, and business innovation.
The participation rates among students show that approximately 8 men and 6 women are involved in such social organizations within a total male student population of 2,606 and a female student population of 7,279. This indicates that a modest fraction of the student body engages actively in these groups, supporting opportunities for community involvement and networking.
Howard University has a diverse student body that includes a substantial number of freshmen and transfer students. Each incoming class typically enrolls around 2,268 freshmen, placing the university in the top 25% nationally for freshman enrollment size. Transfer students are fewer, with approximately 183 joining annually, a figure that is considered average compared to other institutions. Overall, the total new student enrollment hovers around 2,451, which ranks in the top 35% for size.
The university's undergraduate population displays a broad age range, with the largest groups being students aged 18 to 21. Specifically, there are 4,329 students aged 18-19 and 4,243 students aged 20-21. Older undergraduates are present but fewer, with small numbers in age brackets extending up to 65 and above. Graduate students tend to be older, with significant cohorts aged 25-29 (1,151), 30-34 (521), and continuing into older age ranges, including 153 students between 50 and 64 years old and 16 above 65.
Racial and ethnic diversity at Howard University is notable. African American students comprise the largest group by far, with 7,764 enrolled, a figure that situates the university in the top 5% nationally for this demographic. Students identifying with two or more races also represent a significant proportion, with 542 individuals, ranking in the top 25%. Hispanic students number 694, an average presence relative to other institutions. Asian (148), Native American (11), Pacific Islander (4), and White (18) students are smaller in number, each representing a minor share of the student population. Additionally, there are 473 students whose racial or ethnic identity is unknown, indicating a high proportion within this category compared to other schools.
Data regarding the residency status of students, including in-state, out-of-state, and international enrollment, are not available, limiting insights into geographic diversity at Howard University.
Howard University offers a vibrant campus environment with diverse extracurricular opportunities that cater to a wide range of student interests. The campus supports several media and arts outlets including a newspaper, radio station, television, drama productions, a band, and a chorus, allowing students to engage creatively and expressively beyond the classroom.
For student well-being, the university provides comprehensive support services. These include legal services, a health clinic, psychological counseling, a veterans affairs office, and a women's center, each designed to address various aspects of student life and personal needs.
The student body is sizable, with a total enrollment of 14,890, ranking in the top 25% nationally, and a strong representation of full-time degree-seeking students, particularly women, who constitute a very high proportion of this group. The student-faculty ratio stands at 13 to 1, reflecting an average level of individual attention possible in the academic setting.
Howard University offers students access to eight libraries, including its main facility, Howard University Libraries. This number of libraries is considered very high, ranking in the top 5% compared to other institutions.
The university supports a range of physical and digital library resources. Students benefit from physical facilities as well as digital access, enabling convenient research and study options. The libraries provide established hours of operation totaling approximately 80 service hours per week, although they do not offer all-day access.
Additionally, the libraries feature study rooms and have trained staff available to assist students. Howard University also facilitates access to shared collections, further expanding the range of materials students can utilize for their academic work.
Total enrollment
14890Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
2735Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
759 full time, 173 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Howard University LibrariesNumber of libraries on campus
8Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes