Howard University Admissions 2027: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

Howard University Application Deadlines for Indian Students

Howard University uses different portals and cycles for undergraduate, general graduate, engineering, MBA, and law tracks. The table below covers the Fall 2027 primary intake plus the still-open Spring 2027 online MBA and closing Executive MBA windows, per the official Graduate School program deadlines page.

Howard University’s primary intake for Indian students is Fall (August entry) — most programs open here.

Howard University UG Admission Deadline

Howard University operates UG admission on the basis of Early action, Early decision and Regular Decision deadlines like most of the US universities use. For International students, the latest admission deadline is Novermber 15, 2026 for Fall 2027 intake. 

Howard University PG Admission Deadline

Graduate application deadlines at Howard University vary by programme. Several Graduate School programmes use early, priority and final deadlines, but applicants should confirm the applicable dates and application portal on the official programme page.

Also read: Howard University Courses and Fees 2026-27 

Howard University Eligibility Requirements

Howard University sets baseline academic and English-proficiency thresholds; individual programs layer their own prerequisites on top. The floors below are institutional minimums for Indian applicants, drawn from the official Graduate School international admissions page.

• UG general entry (recommended): Class XII at 65 percent or higher, with recommended coverage of English (4 years), Mathematics (3), Science with lab (2), Social Science (2), and a foreign language (2).
• PG general entry: a four-year Bachelor’s (or three-year Bachelor’s plus a Master’s) with a minimum 3.0 GPA (roughly 75 percent).

Accepted English tests and minimums for both undergraduate and graduate entry:

Also read: USA Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students  

Howard University PG Programs and Requirements

Howard University’s popular master’s tracks for Indian applicants cluster in engineering, computer science, business, and law. Base tuition sits at $19,804 per semester (₹18.96 Lakhs) for most graduate schools, with law and MBA at similar levels; refer to the course-wise fees breakdown on the fees page for per-programme detail.

Howard University UG Programs and Requirements

Undergraduate applicants apply through the Common App. Howard University is SAT/ACT optional for 2026-27, and applicants without scores are not disadvantaged in review. Base undergraduate tuition is $18,998 per semester (₹18.19 Lakhs).

Howard University MBA Admissions

Howard University offers a Full Time MBA, Online MBA, and Online Executive MBA. Each format has separate tuition, work experience, and admission requirements.

English Language Requirements

For the Online MBA and Online Executive MBA, international applicants can submit:

Application Timeline

The official Full Time MBA page does not currently publish a confirmed Fall 2027 application deadline. Applicants should check the latest School of Business admissions page before applying.

Howard University Application Process

The application flow depends on the school. Engineering and computer science route through EngineeringCAS, business through BusinessCAS, law through LSAC, and the remaining graduate schools through GradCAS. Undergraduates use the Common App. Steps below apply to Indian graduate applicants targeting Fall 2027.

1. Select programme and portal: confirm the correct portal on the Graduate School deadlines page. Register at least 8 weeks before your target deadline.
2. Order NACES credential evaluation: request a WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation of your Bachelor’s transcripts. Turnaround is 4-6 weeks.
3. Take TOEFL or IELTS: book at least 10 weeks before the deadline. Aim for TOEFL 90+ or IELTS 6.5+ overall.
4. Prepare SOP, LORs and CV: draft a 500-word Statement of Purpose specific to the department, request 3 letters (2 academic, 1 professional preferred), and format your resume to 2 pages.
5. Pay the application fee: USD 45 (INR 4,309) application fee for undergraduate applicants and USD 75 (INR 7,181) for graduate applicants. The official traditional MBA programme page separately lists a USD 93 (INR 8,905) application fee. Applicants should confirm the applicable fee on their chosen programme’s official application page before submitting the application.
6. Submit financial statement (SOFR): after acceptance, complete Howard’s Statement of Financial Responsibility Form and provide a bank statement covering at least one year of expenses.
7. Receive I-20 and apply for F-1 visa: after payment of deposit and clearance from Immigration and Visa Services, Howard University issues the I-20; then book your US visa interview.

Also read: USA Scholarships for Indian Students 

Howard University Admission Decisions and Offer Timeline

Undergraduate Early Decision and Early Action decisions release in late December, with Regular Decision decisions in early April. Deposit deadline is May 1 for all UG plans. Graduate decisions are rolling from the early deadline onward, with most final decisions issued within 8-10 weeks of a complete file. Deferrals to the next intake are considered case-by-case and typically require a fresh SOP.

Howard University Documents Required

Howard University requires a consistent document set across schools, with small variations for engineering, business, and law. Missing or unverified documents are the single most common cause of Fall 2027 files being pushed to a later round, so assemble everything before opening the portal.

• Passport: valid biographical page, with at least six months of validity beyond the intended entry date.
• Official transcripts: Class X, XII, and full Bachelor’s mark sheets, plus degree certificate. Submit English translations if originals are not in English.
• NACES credential evaluation: course-by-course evaluation report from a NACES-member agency (WES, ECE, IEE).
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): around 500 words tailored to the department and research interest.
• Letters of Recommendation: 2 for undergraduate, 2-3 for graduate (Engineering / CS require 3).
• Resume or CV: up to 2 pages covering education, projects, publications, and work experience.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or waiver documentation: official score report sent to Howard, or an English-medium-instruction letter from your school.
• GMAT / GRE score report: only where required (Civil Engineering M.Eng, MBA unless test-waived).
• Financial statement: Statement of Financial Responsibility (SOFR) Form plus bank statement or sponsor letter, submitted after acceptance for I-20 issuance.
• Two passport-size photographs: recent, white background, per the portal’s specifications.

Howard University Acceptance Rate

Howard University’s admit rate has tightened over the past five years as brand equity grew after 2020. The overall figure sits at 41.3 percent for the most recent published cycle. The ranking band in QS and US News reflects this rising selectivity.

Howard University Undergraduate Acceptance Trends

Undergraduate admissions have grown selective, particularly for popular majors such as Business, Political Science, and Biology (Pre-Med). Class XII scores of 75 percent or higher, plus strong SOPs and LORs, materially improve chances despite the test-optional policy. Early Decision applicants historically see a small but consistent admit-rate advantage.

Howard University Graduate Acceptance Trends

Graduate acceptance varies sharply by department. Engineering and Computer Science tracks with funded seats tend toward tighter admits; MBA and MDiv are more accessible. Third-party trackers estimate the international admit rate at around 66 percent, based on program-level patterns; Howard does not publish an official international-only figure.

Insider note: Howard University does not publish a formal international acceptance rate. The 66 percent figure is a third-party estimate reflecting stronger admit odds where an Indian applicant clears the GPA floor cleanly and submits early.