M.A from Howard University [HOWARD], Washington - Fees & Admission Details 2026

Howard University fees for Indian students depend on the school, because undergraduate tuition is uniform while graduate pricing changes by programme. Postgraduate tuition ranges from $37,496 (INR 35.81 Lakhs) for Master of Laws to $77,280 (INR 73.81 Lakhs) for the full online Traditional Master of Social Work. Undergraduate tuition is $37,996 (INR 36.29 Lakhs) per academic year for most bachelor routes. The full-time Master of Business Administration costs $39,410 (INR 37.64 Lakhs) per academic year.

Washington, D.C. living expenses change the cost of studying more than a small tuition difference. Howard estimates undergraduate on-campus housing and food at $21,048 (INR 20.10 Lakhs) per year. The graduate off-campus living budget is higher, at $33,858 (INR 32.34 Lakhs) before tuition and mandatory fees.

• Undergraduate first-year tuition is one flat rate across Howard colleges, except programme charges such as Nursing clinical fees.
• Graduate tuition is school-based, so Business, Social Work, Law, and online Data Science need separate budgets.
• The full-time Master of Business Administration first academic year is about $75,009 (INR 71.64 Lakhs) before travel.

A two-year Master of Business Administration gives a tuition-only route total of $78,820 (INR 75.28 Lakhs) at unchanged current rates. A four-year bachelor’s degree gives a tuition-only total of $151,984 (INR 1.45 Crore) at unchanged current rates. The next official fee year can change these totals once Howard publishes it. Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 95.51, supplied for 12 September 2026.

Check Howard University admission deadlines before setting the fee budget

Howard University Tuition Fees by Programme

Howard University tuition fees use two different fee structures. Undergraduate students pay one university-wide rate, while postgraduate charges follow the school or programme.

Howard University Postgraduate Fees: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027

Postgraduate tuition ranges from $37,496 (INR 35.81 Lakhs) to $77,280 (INR 73.81 Lakhs) for the featured Howard routes. Spring 2027 entry is open only where the school lists a spring start.

Most on-campus master’s rows use annual full-time tuition. Online or credit-priced programmes use the published credit total.

The full-course column uses current published rates. It is not a forecast of future annual tuition.

Source: Howard University 2026-27 Official Notice of Student Charges; Howard Graduate School and programme curriculum pages.

• The Master of Business Administration requires fall entry for international full-time students.
• Computer Science, Economics, and Chemistry have Spring 2027 deadlines on Howard’s Graduate School table.
• Political Science and Public Health are fall-only in the Graduate School deadline table.
• Online Data Science is priced per credit, so the 30-credit total is clearer than a semester figure.

Howard University Undergraduate Fees: Fall 2027

Undergraduate tuition is $37,996 (INR 36.29 Lakhs) per academic year across most Howard colleges. Fall 2027 is the realistic first-year intake for new undergraduate applicants.

Howard charges full-time undergraduate tuition by semester. The four-year totals below are tuition-only comparisons at unchanged current rates.

The full-course column uses current published rates. It excludes living costs, insurance, visa charges, deposits, travel, books, and course-specific fees.

Source: Howard University 2026-27 Official Notice of Student Charges; Howard undergraduate academic programme pages.

• The undergraduate fee structure is simpler than Howard’s graduate pricing.
• Nursing adds clinical and electronic-bundle costs during professional study years.
• The undergraduate application fee is $45 (INR 4,298), separate from tuition.
• The new undergraduate enrollment deposit is $300 (INR 28,653), credited to the student account.

Compare Howard University programme options before choosing a fee band

Howard University Fee Trend by Year

Howard’s undergraduate tuition rose 7.5% in 2024-25 and 7.5% in 2025-26, then stayed flat for 2026-27. That flat year helps Fall 2027 applicants build budgets from the current rate until Howard releases the next notice.

Source: Howard University Official Notice of Student Charges archives for 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27.

Cost of Living in Washington, D.C. for Indian Students

Howard estimates graduate off-campus living at $33,858 (INR 32.34 Lakhs) for one academic-year budget. Washington, D.C. housing is the largest living-cost line after tuition.

Source: Howard University 2026-27 Estimated Cost of Attendance.

• Resident means a student living in university housing or off-campus housing near Washington, D.C.
• On-campus means university-managed housing billed through Howard.
• Off-campus means a private lease outside university housing.
• Howard lists eight residence halls with controlled entry and laundry access.
• Graduate students should treat housing as a 12-month cash-flow line.

Howard’s campus location makes transport planning useful before signing a lease. A cheaper rent figure can lose value if daily commuting raises the transport budget.

Compare United States living costs before finalising a Howard housing budget

Total Cost of Studying at Howard University

The total cost of studying at Howard University starts near $65,461 (INR 62.52 Lakhs) for an undergraduate on-campus year. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is counted with visa costs.

Source: Howard University 2026-27 Estimated Cost of Attendance; U.S. Department of State and SEVIS fee pages.

• The table includes tuition, living, mandatory Howard fees, visa application fee, and SEVIS fee.
• SEVIS is a federal tracking fee for the F-1 student visa, the usual United States student visa route.
• Visa charges shown are one-time entry costs, not annual university charges.
• Deposits reduce the later account balance when Howard credits them.
• Travel, optional loan fees, emergency funds, and private housing deposits are excluded.

The worked example is Howard’s full-time Master of Business Administration. Its tuition-only programme total is $78,820 (INR 75.28 Lakhs) at unchanged current rates. A loan near INR 75 Lakhs costs about INR 1.01 Lakhs monthly over 10 years at 10.5%.

Howard University Scholarships for Indian Students

Howard University scholarships for Indian students are limited but worth checking before paying the deposit. The clearest route is institutional aid through Howard forms and programme-level graduate funding.

Source: Howard University financial aid and programme admissions pages; J. N. Tata Endowment and K. C. Mahindra scholarship provider pages.

Howard does not publish one automatic international tuition waiver for every admitted applicant. The safer fee plan uses the gross tuition first, then deducts only written aid.

Use Howard University admission dates to time scholarship documents

Howard University Tuition Deposit and Payment Options

Howard uses different deposits by level and school, so one deposit number is not enough. The undergraduate enrollment deposit is $300 (INR 28,653), while many graduate students pay $300 (INR 28,653).

Source: Howard University 2026-27 Official Notice of Student Charges; Howard Bursar payment pages.

Methods of Payment: International Students

• Howard accepts card payments through VISA, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express.
• Card payments can carry up to 4.25% international service charges.
• Direct bank payments use Automated Clearing House transfers from U.S. accounts.
• International wire transfer is accepted for overseas payers.
• The term payment plan uses BisonHub and TouchNet with a $45 (INR 4,298) enrollment fee.

Steps to Pay the Tuition Fee for International Students

1. Accept the Howard offer and read the school-specific deposit line.
2. Pay the enrollment deposit or good-faith deposit.
3. Use the Form I-20, the school record for the F-1 student visa process.
4. Pay the balance by the published term deadline.
5. Keep every receipt for the visa interview and arrival file.

Spring 2027 balances are due by 28 December 2026. Fall payment plans use five installments on the published term schedule.

Hidden Costs of Studying at Howard University

Spring 2027 entrants should keep at least $1,035 (INR 98,853) ready before tuition balance payments. That figure covers the Master of Business Administration deposit, visa application fee, and SEVIS fee.

• The F-1 student visa is the usual U.S. visa route for full-time Howard degrees.
• The F-1 student visa application fee is $185 (INR 17,669).
• The SEVIS I-901 fee is $350 (INR 33,429) for F-1 student visa applicants.
• Howard’s student health insurance is listed at $1,000 (INR 95,510) per semester.
• Technology fee is $200 (INR 19,102) per semester for most students.
• Transportation fee is $175 (INR 16,714) per semester for most campus students.
• Returned checks or reversed card payments can add $35 (INR 3,343).

Source: Howard University Official Notice of Student Charges; U.S. Department of State Student Visa page; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVIS I-901 fee page.

Budget approximately INR 4 Lakhs to INR 6 Lakhs for first-year hidden costs before travel. Add the first tuition balance separately when Howard posts the student account.

Fee Saving Strategies for Indian Students

The biggest Howard saving for Spring 2027 is avoiding unnecessary payment charges before the 28 December 2026 balance date. Card charges can exceed the $300 (INR 28,653) graduate deposit.

• Use Howard’s payment plan only after comparing the $45 (INR 4,298) enrollment fee with loan disbursement timing.
• Choose on-campus undergraduate housing when the billed meal plan fits daily food habits.
• Compare full-time and online formats before choosing Data Science or Social Work.
• Use Section 80E of the Income Tax Act for interest deductions on an Indian education loan.
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) routes can use up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Non-STEM routes can use 12 months of OPT after eligible degree completion.

OPT is temporary work authorisation linked to F-1 student status. It improves cash recovery only after degree completion and employer sponsorship planning.

Read the United States student visa cost steps before paying SEVIS

Is Howard University Worth the Cost for Indian Students

Howard University is strongest financially when the chosen degree uses its Washington, D.C. network and HBCU reputation. The Master of Business Administration first-year budget is about $75,009 (INR 71.64 Lakhs), before travel.

Howard is ranked #1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities by Forbes for 2026. U.S. News lists Howard at #86 among National Universities for 2025, and QS places it in the #1001-1200 global band for 2027.

Historically Black College and University (HBCU) status is central to Howard’s brand. The value case is stronger for students using Washington, D.C. policy, business, law, public health, and research access.

A loan of INR 75 Lakhs needs about INR 1.01 Lakhs monthly over 10 years at 10.5%. The F-1 student visa route allows 12 months of Optional Practical Training, while STEM degrees can reach 36 months total.

Source: Forbes HBCU 2026, U.S. News Best Colleges 2025, QS World University Rankings 2027, and U.S. student visa employment rules.

Review Howard University ranking context before deciding the return on cost