Gallaudet University vs Howard University
Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data
Verdict
Gallaudet University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Howard University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Gallaudet University at $30,128 vs Howard University at $25,242. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $54,250 vs $58,650.
| Metric | Gallaudet University | Howard University |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| School Type | Private | Private |
| State | Dc | Dc |
| Avg Median Debt Average median debt across all tracked majors | $30,128 | $25,242* |
| Avg 1yr Earnings Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors | $54,250 | $58,650* |
| Majors Tracked | 20 | 20 |
| Best ROI Major | Computer and Information Sciences (93/100) | Computer Science (95/100)* |
| Best Major Debt | $25,803 | $21,243* |
| Best Major 1yr Earnings | $95,000 | $95,000 |
Gallaudet University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Howard University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Gallaudet University at $30,128 vs Howard University at $25,242. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $54,250 vs $58,650.
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Completion rates run close at the two schools: 100.0% versus 100.0%. When graduation probability is comparable across both options, the decision comes down to cost and post-graduation earnings rather than degree-completion risk.
Average debt loads run moderate but not equal — Howard University at $25,242 versus $30,128 at the alternative. At standard repayment terms the monthly difference is $52/month, which is real money over a decade but small enough that the program-fit and earnings considerations should usually outweigh it.
Earnings outcomes track closely — Gallaudet University and Howard University graduates report similar first-year wages. The school decision in cases like this is usually decided on non-financial axes (program quality, geography, fit) since the ROI math runs close enough to be inside the noise.
Both schools sit in Dc, which simplifies the in-state-vs-out-of-state tuition question and aligns the regional labor markets students will enter post-graduation. Cross-school comparisons within the same state should weight program mix and employer-pipeline depth heavily — the cost-of-living and labor-market backdrop is effectively held constant, so program-level differences are the differentiator.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.