Howard University has achieved its highest overall ranking in University history in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, rising 15 positions to No. 73 among National Universities, up from No. 88 last year.

The historic ranking surpasses Howard’s previous high of No. 80 in 2021 and represents the University’s largest year-over-year advancement in the overall National Universities category.

Howard also ranked No. 42 among Top Private Colleges, maintained its position as the No. 2 historically Black college or university in the nation, and rose six positions to No. 11 among Top Performers on Social Mobility.

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The results reflect continued progress across measures of institutional strength and student success. Howard’s six-year graduation rate increased from 70% to 74%, while the graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients increased from 66% to 70%. The graduation rate for non-Pell Grant recipients rose from 73% to 77%. The University also continues to outperform its predicted graduation rate.

Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. ’92, M.D. ’94, MBA ’11), interim president, president emeritus and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, said the results provide an important measure of Howard’s continued advancement while underscoring the broader impact of the University’s mission.

“While no ranking can fully capture Howard University’s impact, these results offer an important measure of our continued advancement as a national research institution with a distinctive mission and an increasingly consequential impact on higher education and society,” Frederick said. “They reflect the strength of our legacy, our continued pursuit of excellence, and our commitment to creating opportunity for the next generation of scholars, researchers, leaders, and changemakers.”

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National Recognition Across Academic Excellence and Innovation

Howard’s rise in the U.S. News rankings builds on a year of significant national recognition and continued momentum across academics, research, innovation and student outcomes.

The University debuted at No. 34 among the nation’s Most Innovative Schools and rose 13 positions to No. 118 among Best Colleges for Veterans.

Several undergraduate programs also advanced in the rankings. Howard’s Top Undergraduate Business Programs rose five positions to No. 83, economics advanced 11 positions to No. 110, and engineering rose 10 positions to No. 102 among Top Undergraduate Engineering programs. Howard debuted at No. 94 among Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and ranked No. 25 nationally for undergraduate teaching.

The rankings also reflect continued investment in faculty excellence and academic capacity. A greater proportion of Howard’s full-time faculty now hold doctoral or other terminal degrees, while expanded 12-month faculty appointments support year-round instruction, research and institutional leadership.

The latest recognition follows Howard’s return to R1 status in 2025, the Carnegie Classification’s designation for institutions with the highest levels of research activity.

In August, Forbes ranked Howard University No. 1 on its inaugural “America’s Top HBCUs” list, recognizing the University’s academic programs, student outcomes and graduate success, among other factors. LinkedIn also ranked Howard No. 1 on its list of top HBCUs, which considers measures including how quickly graduates secure full-time employment and advance into leadership positions.

Together, these recognitions reflect Howard’s growing national profile and the continued strength of its academic and research enterprise.

Creating Pathways of Opportunity

Howard’s rise to No. 11 among Top Performers on Social Mobility is particularly significant because it reflects the University’s longstanding commitment to expanding access and creating pathways of opportunity.

U.S. News measures social mobility in part by assessing how effectively institutions enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, which generally support undergraduate students with significant financial need.

Howard’s advancement in this category coincides with measurable gains in student outcomes, including the four-percentage-point increase in the six-year graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients.

The University has also been recognized for its strong socioeconomic access through the Carnegie Classification’s Student Access and Earnings Classification. Howard has been recognized for providing high levels of access while producing strong post-graduation earnings outcomes.

The University continues to expand academic opportunities for students through programs including the Karsh STEM Scholars Program, the Humanities & Social Sciences Scholars Program, new programs in data science, and a range of honors programs.

Demand for a Howard education also continues to grow. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the University received more than 36,000 applications, reflecting the increasing number of students seeking the academic excellence, opportunity and distinctive educational experience Howard provides.

As that demand grows, Howard continues to expand pathways to its academic programs, both on the Hilltop and beyond the Washington, D.C., campus. These offerings include the Online Master of Social Work and the M.S. in Applied Data Science and Analytics, providing additional opportunities for students to access a Howard education from across the country and beyond. The University also recently graduated the first cohort from its Bachelor of Science in Human Development degree completion program, another example of Howard’s commitment to creating flexible pathways for students to complete their degrees and advance their educational and professional goals.

For Frederick, Howard’s growing national standing is ultimately measured by more than any single ranking.

“It is demonstrated through the excellence of our academic enterprise, the impact of our research and scholarship, the achievements of our students and alumni, and our enduring commitment to Truth and Service,” Frederick said. “Our legacy established the foundation. Our pursuit of excellence continues to strengthen it. And the opportunities we create ensure that Howard’s impact will extend far beyond the Hilltop for generations to come.”

U.S. News & World Report publishes its “Best Colleges” rankings annually, evaluating colleges and universities using measures related to academic quality and student outcomes. While ranking methodologies can change over time, Howard’s 2027 results reflect progress across graduation outcomes, social mobility, academic programs, innovation and other measures of institutional performance.

The University will continue to build on that momentum by strengthening student outcomes, advancing its academic and research priorities, and expanding opportunities for members of the Howard community to thrive.