Understanding Howard University Dental School's Out-of-State Tuition

For prospective dental students, understanding the financial implications of attending dental school is crucial. Howard University's College of Dentistry, a historically Black college, attracts students from across the nation and internationally. This article provides a detailed overview of the out-of-state tuition costs associated with Howard University's dental programs, along with other financial considerations.

Cost of Attendance: A Comprehensive Overview

The Cost of Attendance (COA) at Howard University is an estimated average of what an undergraduate student might expect to pay for one academic year. The estimate includes both direct and indirect costs, offering a holistic view of the financial commitment.

Direct Costs: What You'll See on Your Bill

Direct costs are those that appear directly on your university bill. These include:

Tuition and Fees: This covers the cost of education, typically for students taking 12-18 credits per semester (full-time status). For students starting in Fall 2025, both in-state and out-of-state tuition for the first year (D1) is estimated at $39,068. Tuition costs vary slightly in subsequent years. For example, the D3 year tuition is $37,566.
Housing and Meals: This applies to students living on campus and covers the cost of the most popular meal plan.

Indirect Costs: Budgeting Beyond the Bill

Indirect costs are those that don't appear on your university bill but are essential to consider when budgeting for college. These include:

Books and Supplies: An estimated cost for books and supplies for the entire academic year. Howard University does not bill directly for these items, and students can purchase them at the Campus Store.
Transportation: This is an estimated cost of traveling to and from campus, including the cost of operating a vehicle or the cost of round-trip tickets to your family's home.
Personal Expenses: An estimate for items such as clothing, haircuts, and entertainment. These costs vary from student to student and will not appear on your Howard University bill.
Average Loan Fees: Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans have an origination fee, which is deducted from the loan amount before disbursement to Howard University.

Financial Estimations for Students Starting Fall 2025

To provide a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the financial estimations for students starting in Fall 2025:

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

Year	In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition	Additional Fees	Estimated Living Expenses
D1	$39,068	$39,068	$19,715	$33,535
D2	$39,068	$39,068	$19,664	$33,535
D3	$37,566	$37,566	$20,257	$33,535
D4	$39,068	$39,068	$20,257	$33,535

It's important to remember that these are estimates and do not reflect your actual bill. Factors such as the number of enrolled credit hours, room and board choices, and personal spending habits can influence the final cost.

Considerations for Out-of-State Students

While the tuition fee is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students, out-of-state students should consider the additional costs of moving, transportation, and potentially higher living expenses depending on their home state.

Additional Financial Aid and Opportunities

Pediatric Dental Residency Program

Howard University also offers a two-year Pediatric Dental Residency program. The first year tuition and fees for this program are $42,631. While traditionally there is no tuition assistance, the program has been awarded a Postdoctoral Training in Pediatric Dentistry Grant from HRSA that offers yearly tuition assistance for residents through 2025. This grant focuses on increasing the representation of underrepresented minorities (African American, Hispanic, American Indian) in the pediatric dental workforce.

Loan Options and Repayment Strategies

Many dental school graduates face significant student loan debt. The typical dental school graduate may have around $400,000 in student loan debt. Exploring lower-cost dental schools can help minimize this burden.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans: These plans allow borrowers to pay 10% to 20% of their discretionary income, with the remaining balance forgiven after 20 to 25 years of payments. However, the forgiven amount is considered taxable income.
Private Student Loans: If attending a lower-cost dental school, private student loans might offer lower interest rates, but it's essential to carefully consider the terms and conditions.
Refinancing: Refinancing dental school loans can be a smart move if your debt-to-income ratio is moderate. However, refinancing federal loans into private loans means losing access to federal loan forgiveness programs and IDR plans.

Pre-Dental Opportunities

Howard University offers several pre-dental opportunities, including:

Summer Health Professions Education Program
Student Research Group: Allows dental students to explore their research interests with faculty mentors.
Howard University Summer Research Experience Program (SREP): Trains students to conduct minority health care and oral health disparity research.

Admissions Information

Academic Requirements

DAT Scores: Mandatory. Only the most recent DAT scores are considered.
GPA: While specific GPA requirements may vary, a strong academic record is essential for admission.
Required Coursework: Includes specific course credits in science subjects with required labs. Recommended courses include Cell Biology, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Zoology, Physiology, and English.
Community College Coursework: Accepted, with a maximum limit on credit hours.
Shadowing Hours: While 0 hours are technically required, at least 120 hours of shadowing/working in a dental office is recommended.
Letters of Recommendation: Up to four letters may be submitted, including letters from science professors and dental professionals.

Application Process

PASS Application: The Pediatric Dental Residency program at Howard University requires the PASS application.
Supplemental Application: A supplemental application is required, with a fee of $75 for all applicants.
Interview: Interviewees have a 25-30-minute interview with an interviewing panel, which often consists of faculty, a student representative, and Alumni; or two faculty members. Each student will have a second interview with the Director of Admissions.
Casper Participation: Mandatory participation in ADEA AADSAS is required.

tags: #howard #university #dental #school #out #of