U.S. News & World Report Rankings Update

 

Dear Howard University Community,

On Monday, U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) released its annual “Best Colleges” rankings showing Howard University ranked at #115 among national universities – a drop from the previous year’s ranking. Despite this change in ranking, Howard University continues to make consistent improvements through our innovative and data-driven approach to our institutional goals.

This year’s ranking comes largely from newly-introduced metrics that deemphasize – or eliminate – key areas that we have significantly enhanced through our Howard Forward strategic plan.

As a leading research institution, we value the use of data and evaluation to help assess programs. Unfortunately, methodological changes from USNWR can skew ranking results, preventing the ability to accurately reflect the strength of our programs and the quality of our institution. Our success is defined by our continued dedication to student success, as evidenced by our rising retention and graduation rates, lower student debt ratios, increased financial aid, expanding and growing faculty research, and improving service to the local and global community.

DIFFERENCES IN METHODOLOGY

This year’s rankings were significantly influenced by USNWR’s introduction of a new ranking system for faculty research. Furthermore, instead of using self-reported data from academic institutions, USNWR now relies primarily on data from third-party sources. This change comes after several prominent universities opted out of participation in several ranking categories in the past year. Notably, universities that have severed ties with USNWR can potentially still be rated with information provided by third-party sources. Ranking factors that were in the previous edition’s formula including class size, high school class standing, and the proportion of instructional faculty with terminal degrees—areas where Howard has typically excelled—were removed.

HOWARD CONTINUES TO SOAR

While changes in the methodology used by USNWR were disadvantageous to the University’s ranking, our mission remains unaltered. Howard University is focused on providing high quality educational opportunities to our students, fostering increased Howard-led innovation, and enhancing the Howard experience for students and faculty.

Graduation Rate and Retention

• In 2022, the University reached record four and six-year graduation rates, rising to 60% and 70% in 2022- representing an all-time high.
• In 2022, we achieved a 90% retention rate for rising first-year students.
• From 2012 to 2022, the average per-student financial aid package increased by more than 20% as the entering class increased from 1,376 to 2,358 students. In total, we have more than doubled our scholarship funding since 2013.
• Tuition and fees are 50% lower than institutions with similar rankings and 64% lower than private institutions in the Washington metropolitan area.
• Enrollment has increased more than 25% since 2013. We have a post-graduate employment/placement rate of 75%; and our graduates make $15,000 more than graduates from comparable universities.

Faculty Research and Scholarship

• Between 2020-2022, we have significantly worked to keep class sizes small and continue to foster the type of close teacher-student relationships that change our students’ lives. We are strategically focusing on hiring and recruiting additional tenured and tenure track faculty, who balance teaching with research.
• In 2018, our strategic plan set the ambitious goal of garnering $100 million in sponsored research by 2024. We surpassed that goal two years early, having been awarded $122 million in grant and contract funding for research, a record sum for any HBCU and a more than 175% increase from 2008.
• With increases in research funding and innovative faculty and student research, we are on track to becoming an R1 research university, a recognition awarded to the top 3.5% of research universities. No other HBCU currently has R1 status.

Clearly, this year’s rankings do not fully represent our institution’s strengths, assets, and progress. Our tradition of excellence, leadership and service remains steadfast and our legacy, leadership, and future trajectory will always transcend a momentary ranking. We will continue to carry out our work in a manner that we believe keeps Howard University rising to its maximum strength – now and in the years to come.

 

Committed to Truth and Service,

Ben Vinson III, PhD
President