Analysis
Howard's civil engineering program operates in a market where The Catholic University of America's graduates earn $77,501 their first year—about $8,000 more than the $69,574 suggested by national peer programs. That gap matters in Washington, DC, where engineering opportunities abound but the higher local earning potential doesn't appear fully realized here. The estimated debt of $27,000 produces a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of gross income, which is reasonable for an engineering degree.
What raises questions is the reported four-year earnings figure of $68,928—essentially flat from the estimated first year. Civil engineering typically shows salary growth as professionals gain licensure and project experience, so this plateau is unexpected. It could reflect career paths into government or nonprofit work, which offer stability but slower wage progression, or it might simply be a function of small sample sizes creating statistical noise.
The bottom line: you're looking at roughly mid-range debt for a program whose earnings appear modest compared to DC's other engineering option. If your child is committed to Howard for community or cultural reasons, the financial picture isn't alarming—but they should understand they may start behind peers at CUA and need to be strategic about internships and career positioning to close that gap.
Where Howard University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard University | — | $68,928 | — |
| University of Southern California | $85,262 | $106,533 | +25% |
| Santa Clara University | $84,883 | $100,598 | +19% |
| Cornell University | $80,261 | $95,056 | +18% |
| The Catholic University of America | $77,501 | $83,146 | +7% |
Compare to Similar Programs in District of Columbia
Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in District of Columbia (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Howard UniversityWashington | $33,344 | $69,574* | $68,928 | $27,000* | — |
 The Catholic University of AmericaWashington | $55,834 | $77,501* | $83,146 | $24,750* | 0.32 |
| National Median | — | $69,574* | — | $24,500* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Petroleum Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Civil Engineers
Transportation Engineers
Water/Wastewater Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Howard University, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 220 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.